A recall notice has been issued on a Canadian government website for various powdered infant formula products due to possible microbial contamination.
The notice says that Shoppers Drug Mart is withdrawing certain Abbott brand 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The notice states that the products were previously withdrawn on February 17, 2022, but some units were sold online by mistake.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 include containers of 964 grams of Similac Advance Step 1 milk fortified infant formula fortified with milk powder, 964 grams containers of Similac Advance Step 2 milk-fortified infant formula enriched with iron and calcium-enriched milk, containers of 400 grams of Similac Alimentum Step 1 hypoallergenic infant formula and containers of 658 grams of Similac Advance Step 2 infant formula based on iron-fortified and calcium-enriched milk.
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.
The Food Inspection Agency of Canada is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the withdrawal of other products.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 20, 2022.