How to Keep Your Children Safe After the Abbott Baby Formula Recall

The FDA has cautioned parents to avoid three popular baby formula brands made by manufacturer Abbott following reports of four newborns who developed bacterial infections after ingesting their products and required hospital treatment. The affected products, Similac, Alimentum, and Elecare, were found to contain Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria, which can cause serious, life-threatening infections in young children, such as sepsis and meningitis. According to reports, the defective products were manufactured at a facility in Sturgis, Michigan, but the four infections occurred in Texas, Ohio, and Minnesota, so the affected products could be elsewhere as well. Families rely on these products for their child’s nutritional needs, and for a manufacturer to act negligently with a product that’s designed for young children is an unacceptable offense. 

If you’re a parent of a young child, you’re likely stressed and frightened by the news. No family should have to worry whether the product they found on store shelves will harm their child, nor should they have to endure witnessing their child fight off a serious infection. However, the recall only affects certain products, and there are still healthy alternatives to these brands on store shelves that you can feed to your child while Abbott resolves the issue. You should also closely monitor the health of your child if they’re provided with a baby formula product to stay vigilant against any early warning signs of infection. 

Our firm stands with the victims of this tragedy and families with young children across the nation. We’ve compiled all the necessary information about this recall that you need to keep your child safe during this uncertain time, which can be found below:

Which Baby Formula Products Are Recalled?

Abbott issued a voluntary recall for its Similac, Alimentum, and Elecare baby formula brands after four families reported that their children developed a bacterial infection from ingesting their products. Fortunately, these are the only affected brands, and parents can seek out alternatives to these products for their children in the interim. Abbott has stated that they’re doing everything in their power to remedy the problem at the Michigan facility and ensure the integrity of their other manufacturing sites, but it’s difficult to trust them after their negligence resulted in serious harm to four innocent children.

How Do I Know if My Products Are Affected by the Recall?

Abbott has narrowed their search to products stemming from its manufacturing facility in Michigan after performing a safety test and discovering evidence of the harmful bacteria. You should dispose of their products if:

• The first two digits of the serial number are 22 through 37, and
• The serial code contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• The expiration date is April 1st, 2022, or later

Medical experts and pediatricians say there’s no need for panic, as there have only been four confirmed cases of infection. They do, however, recommend that you remove the defective products from your home and find a safer alternative for your child, as no product should endanger the health of the audience it’s intended for. Additionally, you can check similacrecall.com and input the serial number of your product to determine if it came from the affected facility.

What Symptoms Should I Monitor For?

Both Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections carry the same set of symptoms. In most cases, an infection to either of these bacterias will begin 2–14 days after ingesting the product, and it’s unlikely for an infection to occur outside of the two-week window. If you notice your child is exhibiting any of the following after ingesting a powdered baby formula product, you should bring them to a medical professional for a more detailed evaluation:

• Changes in appetite
• Unusual changes in mood
• Low energy/lethargy
• Fever
• Rashes
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting 
• Yellow coloring of skin or whites of the eye
• Abnormal breathing/movement patterns

Some of these symptoms are vague, and it could be a coincidence that your child is acting a certain way after consuming a baby formula product. However, it’s recommended that parents act overly cautious as we continue to learn more about this tragedy, as you don’t want to make the wrong choice and jeopardize your child’s health further. By seeking medical treatment for your child sooner rather than later, you can take a proactive approach if they do have an infection, allowing them the best possible chance of making a full recovery.

Contact Morgan & Morgan

There’s no reason that a company that specializes in products intended for children should act negligently during the manufacturing process. Parents with young children have enough to be stressed about already, and this most recent recall only makes it worse. No one should have to question whether they’ll develop adverse health effects from a product they found on a store shelf, especially if it’s marketed towards innocent children who didn’t purchase the product themselves. 

Morgan & Morgan’s product liability lawyers are keeping up to date with the latest information regarding the recall and are prepared to advocate for your rights if you become a victim. We understand how frustrated you must be, and if your child develops a bacterial infection from a baby formula product that requires hospital treatment, we have the capability to hold the negligent manufacturer accountable. 

Contact us today to get started.