Today the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) published a last minute announcement. What it mentions is that as a result of the withdrawal from the market of infant formulas in the United States carried out by the company Abbott Nutrition, this authority deployed preventive and surveillance actions over the weekend to guarantee the safety of newborns and babies in Mexico. To date, 16 possibly affected batches have been identified in the country, which are being withdrawn from the market.
As announced by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) counterpart to Cofepris, consumer complaints related to infections by Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria are under investigation. In all cases, powdered formula was consumed, produced at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan, United States.
The company Abbott Laboratories de México, SA de CV, has informed this authority that it has initiated the voluntary withdrawal of possibly affected products.
The brands that withdrew their products
For now, Cofepris ordered the withdrawal of infant formulas from the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands. To identify these products and rule out any health risk, people can check the lot numbers, which include the first digits from 22 to 37, and contain the codes K8, SH or Z2. This authority is aware of the following lots in Mexico:
The company has reported that none of the control samples, that is, reviewed, have been positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport and, to date, there have been no reports of adverse reactions in Mexico.
As part of the actions carried out, Cofepris carries out verification visits and appearances to follow up on the correct removal of the product allegedly affected in the national market and its subsequent destruction.
Although the lots are withdrawn from distribution centers, Cofepris issues the following recommendations for anyone who identifies designated lots:
- Avoid the use and consumption of products with the batch numbers mentioned above, and, if you have them, contact the company by calling 800-3688-742 or email [email protected]
- In case of observing any symptom or indication of illness due to the consumption of the product, consult with health professionals to receive medical treatment.
- Submit a health complaint through this page about any place or person still marketing affected lots.
Establishments, department stores, pharmacies or distributors must verify the existence of any of these batches and, if they are identified, they must immobilize them and suspend their commercialization immediately.
What happened in the United States?
The origin of everything were multiple cases of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections in minors. What they all had in common is that they consumed a powdered infant formula produced at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, the FDA issued an alert asking them to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products. produced at this facility.
At the moment the investigation is ongoing and the company is already working with the FDA to initiate a voluntary recall of the potentially affected product.