After beetles or their larvae were found during an inspection of a section of Abbott Laboratories Inc.’s plant in Michigan, the company has issued a voluntary recall of its popular Similac powdered infant formula. A Los Angeles Times article reports that the company has received two consumer complaints of beetles found in its powder formula product. A spokeswoman for Abbott stated that the decision to recall the potentially contaminated products was made before the two consumer complaints were reported, and those complaints are currently being investigated.
The FDA recall announcement states that the recall of powder infant formulas include certain Similac powder product lines in plastic containers and other Similac powder product lines in can sizes of 8 ounces, 12.4 ounces, and 12.9 ounces. The FDA has announced that any formula containing the insects does not pose any immediate health risk. However, there is a chance that infants who consume contaminated formula with the beetles or their larvae may experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat due to gastrointestinal tract irritation from the presence of small insect parts. If these conditions last for more than a few days, the FDA advises that parents consult a physician. Parents and caregivers can go to www.similac.com/recall10 or call Abbott’s consumer hotline, (800) 986-8850, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more information about the recall.
According to the LA Times article, fewer than 5 million Similac units are being recalled in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and other Caribbean markets. Liquid varieties of Similac have not been found to be affected by the insect contamination, nor have they been recalled. In conducting extensive testing to determine how much of the powdered formula product may be affected, Abbott found that over 99.8% of the product was negative for beetle contamination.
Defective or contaminated products, especially those intended for infant or child use, can present risks of injury, illness, and even death. As leaders in consumer law, the Los Angeles product liability lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained numerous successful verdicts and settlements on the behalf of those seriously injured or family members of those wrongfully killed by product defects. To learn more about how we can help protect your rights, call 877-800-1700.
