This was based on a communication forwarded by the CNMI WIC program from Faith A. Davis, government contract specialist for government operations of Abbott Nutrition in Ohio.
Abbott said the small powder WIC products included in the recall included the 12.4 oz powder can of Similac Advance, the 12.9 oz powder can Similac Advance EarlyShield, and the 12.9 oz powder can Similac Isomil Advance.
Concentrate liquid and ready-to-feed products and all powder and liquid specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert Care, Alimentum, Elecare, Similac Expert Care, Neosure, Similac Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders are not included in the recall.
To determine if the product is included in the recall, check out the lot code numbers at the bottom if the can. If the lot code contains “RB” it is an affected product and you can return it to the retailer.
Early this week, the Department of Public Health and distributor Micronesian Brokers Inc. announced Abbott’s voluntary recall of certain Similac-brand powder infant formulas in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and come countries in the Caribbean that did not meet its quality standards.
The recall came after reviews detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier stated that although there are no health risks involved, “infants who consume the contaminated formula may experience stomach discomfort and may refuse to eat as a result of irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.”
The recall of the selected Similac formula may reduce the Illinois-based Abbott Park’s revenue for the third quarter by an estimated $100 million but it won’t affect the company’s earnings.
If you have purchased a product with “RB” lot code, you can call Micronesian Brokers at 322-0318 or the Bureau of Environmental Health at 664-4870/72. You can also visit www.similac.com/recall, or call Abbott’s consumer hotline at 1-800-986-8850.
