Abbott Powdered Baby Formula Believed to have Caused 5 Illnesses, Two of Which are Fatal
On the 17th of February, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F,DA) announced that the company at the center of the contaminated baby food scare, Abbott’s, has voluntary recall of their baby powder formula due to complaints and/or concerns of Salmonella and Cronobacter Sakazakii contamination. The
recalled products included powder formulas under the labels Similac, EleCare and Alimentum that were manufactured in one of Abbott’s facilities located in Sturgis, Michigan.
Thus far in the formula poisoning investigation, at least five infants have contracted symptoms of what is believed to be Cronobacter Sakazakii and/or Salmonella Newport. The victims are from Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio. At least two victims passed away after contracting Cronobacter sakazakii, likely due to consumption of Abbott’s powder formula.
According to one National Food Poisoning Lawyer, Tony Coveny PhD.:
“Most people who become ill with food poisoning get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism. The diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In babies, fever and low appetite, along with fatigue, may be present. These illness typically last a few days to two weeks, and some infected persons may never become symptomatic. In persons with compromised immune systems, these pathogens can occasionally spread to the bloodstream or lead to other serious illness, even being life-threatening – especially in infants, as is the case here.”
Cronobacter sakazakiiis an adulterant found in natural environments, but can thrive in dry environments which makes it especially hazardous in items such as herbal teas, starches, and in this case, powdered milk formula.
Vicky Assardo, Abbott’s senior director of global public affairs, issued a statement clarifying the company does thorough and extensive quality checks of every baby formula product as it is released, and that they “value the trust parents place in us for high quality and safe nutrition and we’ll do whatever it takes to keep that trust and resolve this situation.” Abbott baby formula products purchasers are encouraged to visit this website to check if their purchased baby formula is one of the contaminated and recalled.
In persons with compromised immune systems, these pathogens can occasionally spread to the bloodstream or lead to other serious illness, even being life-threatening – especially in infants, as is the case here.
Abbott’s Recalled Baby Formula Now Suspected to be Responsible for Two Deaths
By Tony Coveny