A recall notice has been issued on a Canadian government website for various powdered infant formula products due to possible microbial contamination.
The notice states that Shoppers Drug Mart is withdrawing certain Abbott brand powdered infant formula products from the market due to possible contamination by Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella.
The notice states that the products were previously withdrawn on February 17, 2022, but some units were sold online by mistake.
The products are:
- Containers of 964 grams of Similac Advance Step 1 iron fortified infant formula powder.
- Containers of 964 grams of Similac Advance Step 2 infant formula powder based on iron-fortified and calcium-fortified milk.
- Containers of 400 grams of hypoallergenic infant formula powder Similac Alimentum Step 1.
- Containers of 658 grams of Similac Advance Step 2 infant formula powder based on iron-fortified and calcium-fortified milk.
Abbott restarted its factory in Sturgis, Michigan, on June 4 after it had been closed since February due to pollution. Withdrawal squeezed out supplies that had already been strained by supply chain disruptions and storage during COVID-19 closures.
Foods contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella may not spoil or smell, but they can still get sick. Although Cronobacter sakazakii is not commonly associated with human disease, in rare cases it can cause serious or fatal infections. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
People who believe they became ill from consuming a product withdrawn from the market should call their doctor, the government says. Withdrawn products must be discarded or returned to the place where they were purchased.
The Food Inspection Agency of Canada is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the withdrawal of other products.