FDA recalls imported infant formulas over bacterial infections

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has recalled certain batches of imported powdered infant formula, Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, all US products flagged over complaints of bacterial infections in infants. 

Produced by Abbott Nutrition Company in Sturgis, Michigan, the products are said to be part of an ongoing investigation by the US Food and Drugs Administration regarding the said complaints. 

Noting in a statement dated April 30, 2022, the FDA said the affected batches have been identified by the lot code underneath the containers of the products. These include, the first two digits being 22 through to 37; the code on the container bearing K8, SH, or Z2, and an expiration date of 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later. 

Persons in possession of the products are also required to enter the details of the lot code in US FDA’s full list of recalled brands to determine if their products are part of the affected batches. 

The Authority also indicated that even though the infant formulas have not been registered in Ghana, therefore making them unregulated products, some importers were able to obtain clearance of the products under the guise of personal effects. 

“So far, the FDA through its market surveillance activities has identified and detained a number of the affected batches of these products in shops across the country,” the statement said. 

It further stated, “importers are warned to comply with the provisions of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) as far as the importation of FDA’s regulated products are concerned especially with respect to FDA’s policy on ‘Zero Tolerance for Unregistered Imported Products’ as offenders will be severely punished.”