The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall of a number of Abbott products sold under the Similac label due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella contamination.
CFIA advised that these products should not be consumed and should instead be thrown away or returned.
Possibly contaminated products have expiration dates of April 1, 2022 or after. The first 2 digits of the lot codes range from 22 through to 37 and contain K8, SH, or Z2.
Products include:
• Similac Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified Infant Formula Powder - 658g, 964g
• Similac Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified and Calcium-Enriched Infant Formula Powder - 658g, 964g
• Similac Alimentum Step 1 Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder - 400g
• Similac Human Milk Fortifier Powder - 50 x 0.90g
• Similac Pro-Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified Infant Formula Powder - 227g, 584g, 658g, 859g, 964g, 1134g
• Similac Pro-Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified and Calcium-Enriched Infant Formula Powder - 584g, 658g, 859g, 964g
• Similac Sensitive (Lactose Sensitivity) Step 1 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified Infant Formula Powder - 638g
• Similac Total Comfort Step 1 Milk-Based Iron-Fortified Infant Formula Powder - 227g, 638g, 964g
CFIA warned that food contaminated with either bacteria may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause illness.
Short-term symptoms of Salmonella can include: fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, while long-term complications may include severe arthritis.
In rare cases, Cronobacter sakazakii can cause serious or fatal infections.
No illnesses have been reported in Canada, though there have been some cases reported in the United States.