The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged consumers in possession of Similac Alimentum 400G infant formula to immediately discontinue use of the product and return it to the point of sale for a full refund.
Acting Commissioner Thezi Mabuza says the supplier informed the Commission of the precautionary recall of Similac Alimentum in South Africa.
The manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories-Nutrition informed the Commission of a voluntary recall following a global recall as announced by the supplier.
The recall was prompted by consumers who reported that their infants presented some symptoms after ingesting the formula in the USA.
Though according to Abbott Laboratories, only four cases were reported in the USA, the presence of Cronobacter and Salmonella in an infant formula is a cause for concern.
Although there are no cases reported in South Africa consumers have been urged not to feed their infants the formula.
The recall specifically applies to the following batches of the formula: Similac Alimentum 400g Infant Formula (27938z26), manufactured March 2021, with an expiry date of 01 April 2023 and Similac Alimentum 400g Infant Formula (29284Z26), manufactured in May 2021, with an expiry date of 01 June 2023/
Ingesting Salmonella may lead to diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps, while Cronobacter infection may also cause damage to the bowel system.
The NCC’s Phetho Ntaba explains:
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