Abbott’s Ross Products Division announced a voluntary nationwide recall of three lots of two-ounce bottles of Similac Special Care 24 Cal / fl. oz. Ready-to-Feed (RTF) Premature Infant Formula with Iron, a highly specialized liquid ready-to-feed formula used only for premature infants after discharge from the hospital.
This product is sold in eight unit cartons of two-ounce plastic bottles in the United States, and is primarily sold through pharmacies at the direction of a health care professional. It is not commonly available on retail store shelves.
Abbott is voluntarily recalling these three lots because they do not contain as much iron as indicated on the label. No serious medical complaints have been reported.
Premature infants fed this formula for more than a month after discharge could have an increased risk of developing anemia due to insufficient iron intake. If parents have any concerns about their baby’s health, they should contact their baby’s doctor or health care professional.
The recall is limited to stock code number 59582 with lot numbers 46815D5, 47847D5 or 52023D5 printed on the outside carton and case and the lot numbers 44427X8, 4427X81 or 50005X8 printed on the bottom of the bottles. No other liquid or powdered Similac infant formulas are affected.
The three lots of infant formula were distributed in the United States between November 2006 and May 2007. Consumers who purchased Similac Special Care 24 Cal / fl. oz. RTF Premature Infant Formula with Iron from any of the specific lots mentioned above should contact Abbott’s Ross Products Division at 1-888-899-9182. Ross will replace product from these lots free of charge.
Similac Special Care 24 Cal / fl. oz. RTF Premature Infant Formula is a highly specialized formula used by premature infants for a limited amount of time after discharge from the hospital. The impacted product is not used in hospitals.
Abbott is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its distribution partners to execute this recall.