February 22, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating four consumer
complaints of infant illness related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI
facility received from 09/20/2021 to 01/18/2022. All cases are reported to have
consumed powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI
facility.
These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one
report of Salmonella Newport infection in infants. Cases were reported in MN (1),
OH (1), and TX (2). All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and
Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case.
The two Texas cases linked to this investigation include a case of C. sakazakii and a
case of Salmonella Newport. Both infants were hospitalized, and no deaths were
reported.
On February 17, 2022, Abbott Nutrition initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of
powdered formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare manufactured in
Sturgis, MI. Further information about how to identify potentially affected formula
products can be found here.
Cronobacter multi-species complex is a group of gram-negative bacteria that exists
in the environment and which can survive in very dry conditions. C. sakazakii rarely
causes human illness but can cause infant septicemia and severe meningitis that
typically results in long-term neurological consequences or death. Cronobacter is
ubiquitous in the environment and has been found in many foods, including
powdered infant formula and water. Infants with Cronobacter infection typically
present with symptoms and signs of blood stream infection or meningitis.
Diagnostic evaluation and treatment should be guided by the clinical presentation.
Healthcare providers and laboratories should report infections with C. sakazakii
from infants (< 12 months of age) to their respective local health department or
the Texas Department of State Health Services (Phone: 512-776-7676, Fax: 512-
776-7616).
Additional information:
Recall: https://www.fda.gov/