Similac Recall: Bugs in Baby Formula Worry Parents

Sept. 23, 2010— -- Abbott Laboratories is voluntarily recalling up to 5 million containers of its popular powdered Similac infant formula after finding evidence that beetles had possibly contaminated it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned that tiny insect parts could irritate babies' delicate digestive tracts, and might make them refuse to eat.

Abbott, which initiated the recall after detecting "the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle," believes the recalled lots "pose no serious health concern," spokeswoman Raquel Powers said in an interview Thursday. The company, headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Abbott Park, said the recall affects all rectangular plastic tubs of powdered Similac and some 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans manufactured in one area of a plant in Sturgis, Mich., and distributed in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Abbott does business in more than 130 countries.

The warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile, is an oval-shaped insect, about one-eighth-inch long, and is commonly found in dried grains and other foods in office buildings, supermarkets, museums and houses. The adult form of the bug can fly.

The FDA determined that "while the formula poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort" and refuse to eat. Parents should consult a doctor if symptoms persist more than a few days, the agency said.

After internal quality systems detected the presence of insect parts, "we tested the product and ... 99.8 percent of the product from the same lots tested negative," Powers said. On Thursday, Abbott continued to compile a list of affected lots. Cans bearing lot numbers with the following combinations -- T3, RE, 9V, NT -- were unaffected, as were all liquid Similac products, she said.

Containers included in the recall should be returned to the company at no cost to consumers. They can call the company's consumer hotline at (800) 986-8850 or go to www.similac.com/recall for further information.

Not the First Recall for Similac

Abbott, which manufactures nutritional products, diagnostic tests, medical devices and therapies for pain and cancer, has voluntarily recalled other Similac products in the last five years: