NATIONWIDE — The Federal Drug Administration is investigating some brands of powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility, after complaints of Salmonella and Cronobacter — which can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections, and sometimes lead to deadly illness.

The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas, which are sold around the country, if:

  • the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and 
  • the code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and 
  • the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Officials said four infants have been hospitalized in connection with the investigation, and “Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case,” according to the FDA release.

The firm is working with the FDA to initiate a voluntary recall of potentially affected products.

What You Need To Know

  • FDA warns parents not to use Similac, Alimentum, EleCare powdered formulas

  • FDA is investigating possible Salmonella and Cronobacter contamination at Abbott Nurtition's Sturgis, Michigan facility

  • Products sold across the country with an expiration date of April 1, 2022 should not be used

  • Four infants have been hospitalized in connection with the investigation and possibly one death

“As this is a product used as the sole source of nutrition for many of our nation’s newborns and infants, the FDA is deeply concerned about these reports of bacterial infections,” said Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response. “We want to reassure the public that we’re working diligently with our partners to investigate complaints related to these products, which we recognize include infant formula produced at this facility, while we work to resolve this safety concern as quickly as possible.”

Parents and caregivers of infants who have used these products, and are concerned about the health of their child, should contact their child’s health care provider.

Symptoms of Salmonella and Cronobacter to look out for may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, high fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, lethargy, rash, or blood in the urine or stool.

The FDA is continuing to investigate and will provide additional consumer safety information when it becomes available.

Products that do not contain the information listed above are not affected. The FDA advisory does not include liquid formula products or any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas. Consumers should continue to use all products not covered by the advisory.