Infant formula recalled due to possible contamination

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled certain infant formula products due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella contamination.

Nunavut’s Health Department echoed the federal agency’s recall in a statement issued Friday.

Some Abbott brand powdered infant formula products have been recalled from store shelves in Nunavut due to possible contamination, said health spokesperson Danarae Sommerville.

Officials advised consumers who bought the specific products to not consume the formula. The product should be thrown out or returned to the location where it was purchased.

Food contaminated with salmonella or with Cronobacter sakazakii — a bacteria that can live in very dry places — may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick, Somerville said in a release.

Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections if they consume food contaminated with salmonella.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Although Cronobacter sakazakii is not commonly linked to human illness, Sommerville said, in rare cases it can cause serious or fatal infections. The bacteria can cause rare bloodstream and central nervous system infections and has been associated with severe intestinal infection and blood poisoning, especially in newborns.

Somerville said that more information can be found by contacting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-800-442-2342 or by visiting www.inspection.gc.ca.

The recalled products contained lot codes where the first 2 digits range from 22 through to 37, contain K8, SH, or Z2 and have an expiration date of 1APR2022 or after.

The recalled products are:

• Similac Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00076 1
• Similac Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00163 8
• Similac Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00077 8
• Similac Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00164 5
• Similac Alimentum Step 1 Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00061 7
• Similac Human Milk Fortifier Powder – 0 55325 54598 9
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00260 4
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00281 9
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00249 9
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00283 3
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00254 3
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00306 9
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00286 4
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00256 7
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00288 8
• Similac Pro- Advance Step 2 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified and Calcium- Enriched Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00258 1
• Similac Sensitive (Lactose Sensitivity) Step 1 Milk- Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00121 8
• Similac Total Comfort Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 62662 6
• Similac Total Comfort Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 62660 2
• Similac Total Comfort Step 1 Milk-Based Iron- Fortified Infant Formula Powder – 0 55325 00165 2