Health authorities are warning parents to be on alert after three popular brands of baby formula were recalled due to potential contaminatioxjmtzywn.
Abbott Australasia, the manufacturer of EleCare, Similac and Alimentum baby formula brands, says some of its products may be contaminated with Salmonella and Cronobacter, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening infections.
To check if their formula has been recalled, parents are advised to look at the bottom of tins for the seven to nine digit code and expiration date.
If the tin is marked with a code that starts with two numbers between 22 and 37 it has been recalled.
Tins containing codes with K8, SH or Z2 in them or a expiry date of April 1, 2022 or later have also been recalled.
The recall comes after the US Food and Drug Administration said three babies who had consumed Abbott baby formula products were hospitalised after contracting Cronobacter and it may have contributed to a death in one case.
Cronobacter bacteria can cause meningitis, sepsis and bowel damage, and while infections are rare newborn babies are classed as high risk.
Symptoms include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths and abnormal movements.
In a statement Abbott said no distributed product has tested positive for either Cronobacter or Salmonella, however evidence of Cronobacter had been found in a “non-product contact area” at a manufacturing facility in the US.
Abbott’s executive vice president Joe Manning said the company was voluntarily recalling its products out of an abundance of caution.
“We deeply regret the concern and inconvenience this situation will cause parents, caregivers and health care professionals,” he said.
