TRENTON — State health officials are working with the manufacturer of Similac infant formula to publicize the details of the company’s decision to recall some of its powdered product after finding it contained beetle parts. The formula is available to many of the low-income families who participate in the Women, Infants and Children nutritional program, state health department spokeswoman Donna...
TRENTON — State health officials are working with the manufacturer of Similac infant formula to publicize the details of the company’s decision to recall some of its powdered product after finding it contained beetle parts.
The formula is available to many of the low-income families who participate in the Women, Infants and Children nutritional program, state health department spokeswoman Donna Leusner said this evening.
“Local WIC agencies received the recall information from the state this afternoon and they were directed to issue concentrate formula to participants who have formula affected by the recall,’’ Leusner said.
New Jersey's WIC program serves 180,000 mothers and children up to age 5, although the number of families using the product “is not readily available, Leusner said.
According to a statement by Abbott, the manufacturer, “The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted.’’
The recall of these powder infant formulas includes Similac powder product lines produced six month ago in a Michigan plant, and packaged in plastic containers and cans. No liquid formula is affected.
Consumers may visit www.similac.com/recall, or call , or call (800) 986-8850 to determine which lot numbers are affected.
“A very small percentage of the affected formula remains in stores,” Abbott officials told the state, Leusner said. “Their retail team is sending folks out to stores to help vendors sort out their affected and non affected stock.’’
The health department’s website will also post information: http://www.state.nj.us/health.