The Food Standards Agency issued a Product Recall Information Notice (PRIN) after the manufacturer Abbott took the precautionary step of recalling batches of two infant formula products due to concern of possible contamination with Salmonella Newport and Cronobacter sakazakii.
The products (Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac) are foods for special medical purposes. They are powder formulas for use in babies from birth with cow’s milk protein allergy. Although they are not medicines, they are usually provided on prescription as they should be used under medical supervision.
The Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urged healthcare professionals to immediately contact all patients who have been dispensed the impacted batches.
People that have purchased or been prescribed any of the specified product batches, are advised: do not feed it to your baby and return to the place of purchase.
Further information and resources for BDA members:
A briefing note from the UK Health Security Agency provides further details about this recall and the key actions required.
The FSA has published advice to parents as well as the Product Recall Information Notice which provides more detailed information about the recall including affected batches.
A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency.
Alternative products are listed in the UK Health Security Agency National Patient Safety Alert. PLEASE NOTE: we have been alerted by the NHS to some minor errors in the alternative products section of this UKHSA alert; for clarity, corrections are below.
Alimentum alternatives include: Nutramigen 1 with LGG, Nutramigen 2 with LGG, Nutramigen 3 with LGG, Althera, Aptamil, Pepti 1, Aptamil Pepti 2 (which are all suitable for cows milk protein allergy (CMPI)). Please refer to BNF for children for prescribing.
- Please note the Nutramigen and Aptamil Pepti products are age dependent.
- Please note some of these products may not be suitable for infants with other allergies e.g. fish - Aptamil Pepti range contains fish oils.
- Please note these products are not suitable for lactose intolerance; SMA LF is suitable for lactose intolerance.
Elecare alternatives include: Neocate LCP, Alfamino, Nutramigen Puramino, and if the child is over 1 years of age then Neocate Junior may be used. Please refer to BNF for children for prescribing.
