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Parents of formula-fed babies are concerned about the recall of popular brands linked to an Abbott Laboratories plant in Sturgis, Mich.
The recall includes Similac, Similac PM, Alimentum and EleCare formulas manufactured by Abbott Laboratories at a plant in the southwest Michigan town of Sturgis.
Tens of thousands of Michigan babies have been receiving Similac formulas through WIC, the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
Michigan has 198,465 people enrolled in the WIC program, including about 38,000 infants who are partially or exclusively fed with formula, said Michigan Department of Health and Human Service spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin. About 85% of Michigan WIC clients who have formula included in their food packages are affected by the Similac recall, Sutfin said.
The recall was issued by Abbott over concerns that four babies who had been fed formula from that plant had developed infections later. Two died. One Southfield woman who used the formula told the paper that her son had digestion problems and rashes that went away when she switched brands.
The company said Cronobacter sakazakii, bacteria sometimes found in powdered milk and infant formula, was found in the Sturgis plant, but not in areas where formula was manufactured. The sick babies were found to be infected with that same bacteria. None of the recalled formula has tested positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii or salmonella, the company site says.
