Santo Domingo – The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS), through the Vice Ministry of Collective Health and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Sanitary Products (DIGEMAPS), informed all health professionals and the general population that , according to the alert issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the Abbott company has initiated a proactive voluntary recall of some powder formulas, manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan, USA.
According to what is referred to in the alert, the affected products are: Similac, Alimentum and EleCare.
Abbott is voluntarily recalling these products after receiving four consumer complaints related to the presence of Cronobacter Sakazakii or Salmonella Newportin infants who had consumed infant formula powder, manufactured at that facility.
Affected products include those that meet the following conditions:
• The first two digits of the code are from 22 to 37
• The code on the packaging contains K8, SH or Z2, and
• The expiration date is April 1, 2022 or later
Findings to date include several positive results for the bacteria Cronobacter Sakazakii from environmental samples taken by the FDA.
Cronobacter Sakazakii or Salmonella Newport
It is a bacterium that can cause serious and life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include: lack of appetite (poor feeding), irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), labored breathing, and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection can also cause intestinal damage and spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
The Vice Ministry of Collective Health and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Sanitary Products (DIGEMAPS) of this Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS), urges the population and health professionals to report any information on adverse reaction to phones 809-541-3121 ext. 6682 and 1-809-200-2538 (toll free
from the interior) to the email to the online notification portal http://www.notificacentroamerica.net and www.msp.gob.do
In addition, it informs that the products that do not contain the information mentioned above are not linked; it does not include liquid formula products, nor any nutritional formula for metabolic deficiency, so consumers can continue to use all products not mentioned in this alert.