Abbott Recalls Fourth Powdered Infant Formula Linked to Illness

(Bloomberg) -- Abbott Laboratories' embattled nutrition unit has added a fourth product to its recall of powdered infant formulas tied to a facility in Michigan.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced the recall of Similac PM 60/40, Abbott's specialized low-mineral baby formula. That followed a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an infant was infected with Cronobacter sakazakii after being exposed to the powdered formula. The infant later died, the agency said on its website.

The specialized formula wasn't part of Abbott's Feb. 17 recall of some Similac, EleCare and Alimentum formulas produced at the facility in Sturgis, Michigan. Those products were linked to four cases of cronobacter and salmonella infections, leading to one death. Cans of Similac PM 60/40 with lot code 27032K80 and cases coded 27032K800 are the only ones being recalled, according to the FDA.

Cronobacter sakazakii infection can cause sepsis and meningitis, which can be deadly in newborns, according to the CDC.

In an email statement, an Abbott spokeswoman said the cases are under investigation and the cause of the infections hasn't been determined. The company said all infant formula products are tested and must test negative for Cronobacter sakazakii, salmonella and other pathogens before they're released.

Abbott shares were up 1.3% as of 11 a.m. Wednesday in New York.

Even before the latest recalls, parents nationwide were dealing with formula shortages due in part to supply chain issues affecting certain ingredients as well as insufficient staff. Shortages can pose problems for parents who often don't want to switch formula brands from week to week after finding one that works for their infant.

In their recall announcement, the FDA said consumers can keep using all products that aren't included in the recalls, and that parents shouldn't dilute formula or make their own.

The earlier recall cited Abbott products bearing a multidigit number on the formula container bottom starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, containing the letters and numbers K8, SH or Z2 and with an expiration date of April 1, 2022.

The FDA also partnered with the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service in order to monitor how the recall impacts the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for low-income families. Program participants affected by the recalls should be able to obtain different brands or similar formula, according to the FDA.