Abbott Laboratories announced on Thursday that it was recalling powdered baby formulae made in a Michigan plant, including Similac, after four consumers reported bacterial illnesses in their infants after consuming the products.
The cases involved the bacterium Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport, and Abbott is recalling its Alimentum and EleCare baby formulas made at the Sturgis plant (U.S.).
In a statement, the US Food and Drug Administration said it was looking into consumer complaints about the infections.
The health service stated, “All four individuals associated to these complaints were hospitalised, and Cronobacter may have contributed to a fatality in one case.”
The bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii can cause significant invasive infections and early newborn mortality. In 2011, the most recent outbreak in the United States encompassed four states.
The FDA also stated that a study of Abbott’s internal data revealed Cronobacter sakazakii contamination in the environment.
