KUALA LUMPUR – Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd assured that the Cronobacter sakazakii or salmonella Newport bacteria were not found in any of their distributed products, following their proactive voluntary recall of two powder formulas.
After testing the recalled products, Abbott announced that neither of the bacteria was detected. However, product tests will still resume.
“No distributed product has tested positive for the presence of either Cronobacter sakazakii or salmonella Newport, and we continue to test,” they stated in a statement today.
Abbott explained that they had voluntarily issued a recall notice for their products, the Alimentum and Human Milk Fortifier baby formula, after news broke that the bacteria were found in the products manufactured by Abbott Nutrition based in Sturgis, Michigan, USA.
Additionally, they also asked hospitals and pharmacies to pull these products off the shelves.
“In Malaysia, Alimentum and Human Milk Fortifier are the only products which are impacted, and we have initiated a voluntary recall.
“Hospitals and pharmacies, where these products are mostly made available, have been notified to stop the sale of these impacted products, and parents should talk to their healthcare professional about suitable, alternative feeding options,” they said.
However, they noted that other Abbott nutrition products, including Similac, were not impacted by the recall.
Consumers can continue using the said products without concern, and those with queries can reach out to Abbott Nutrition Careline at 1800-88-6233 or email them at [email protected].
Yesterday, products manufactured by Abbott Nutrition’s US-based Sturgis were discovered with the two types of bacteria, which led to the recall of the Alimentum and Human Milk Fortifier baby formula.
Following the detection of the bacteria, an “auto-rejection” order was issued by the Health Ministry to bar the products from entering the country, especially Alimentum (400g) and Human Milk Fortifier (0.9g x 50 sachets).
The rejected products have batch numbers starting from 22 to 37 on their barcode, with containers numbered K8, SH or Z2, as well as with expiry dates April 1, 2022 and beyond. – The Vibes, February 24, 2022
