THREE BABY FORMULAS RECALLED AFTER FDA WARNING

Abbott Nutrition on Thursday announced a recall of three of its infant formulas after four babies who consumed the company’s products were hospitalized, with one death.

All of the infants are reported to have consumed Similac, Alimentum and EleCare that were manufactured at Abbott’s Sturgis, MI facility. The sweeping recall comes amid widespread shortages of infant formula.

Abbott said it found evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii in the plant. Cronobacter infections are rare but are especially high risk for newborn infants.

“All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case,” the FDA said.

The FDA said it initiated an inspection of the Sturgis facility in response to the illnesses, but it did not specified when the inspection took place.

“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,” FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said in a statement.