By Sue-Ann Wayow
SPECIFIED batches of baby formulas including Similac, Alimentum and Elecare Powder Formula are being recalled.
The Ministry of Health in a press release on Sunday said that although Trinidad and Tobago was not included in the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (USFDA) recall notification advisory, which lists the countries where the recalled products were imported, the ministry engaged the local distributor to conduct a reconciliation exercise including physical stock check and review of importation invoices.
Similac, Alimentum and Elecare Powder Formula are manufactured by Abbott Nutrition Facility in Sturgis, Michigan.
The recall was made on February 17 after four infants were hospitalised with bacterial infections.
The ministry stated that the exercise was done recognising the complexity of the supply chain management for such items.
The ministry stated, “Arising out of this exercise, the Ministry was informed today (20th February, 2022) that a limited quantity of the recalled items were identified in the local supply. Additionally, the local distributor has also received subsequent documentation from Abbott Nutrition today, which advises of the batch number of any of the recalled products which may have entered the domestic market.”
As a result, the Chemistry Food and Drug Department (CFDD) advises persons who may be in possession of any of the recalled formulas, with the specified batch numbers, to discontinue use immediately and return the product to the point of purchase, where possible.
The ministry stated that an active investigation is currently being conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and, as such, not yet completed.
“It should be noted that the local distributor has advised that “no products distributed have tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport and the actions taken as solely as a precautionary measure,” the ministry stated.
Early symptoms of Cronobacter sakazakii
The Ministry advises parents that if their child is experiencing any of those symptoms then parents should notify the child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for the child immediately.
For any further information, members of the public can contact the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division at 868-623-5242 or cfdd@health.
