The following information has been provided as advice for parents and carers only. The Royal Children’s Hospital does not use the specified infant formulae.
A food recall has been issued for three brands of infant formula, EleCare, Similac and Alimentum, due to potential contamination with Cronobacter and Salmonella. They may cause illness if consumed.
Parents and carers should cease feeding with the affected products as soon as an alternative has been sourced. Medical advice on alternative products can be sought from your treating doctor or pharmacist.
The recalled products can be identified by the 7 to 9 digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package. Products are included in the recall if they have all three items below:
- the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37, and;
- the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and;
- the expiration date is 1 April 2022 (APR 2022) or later.
Symptoms and transmission
Food products contaminated with Salmonella or Cronobacter may cause illness if consumed.
Salmonella infection can present with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cronobacter infection in infants can present with fever, accompanied by poor feeding, crying, or very low energy. Cronobacter infection in infants can be fatal.
Seek medical attention immediately if your baby develops any of the above symptoms. Infants or children may present to health services and emergency departments unwell if they have consumed affected formula.
Please read the full advisory on the Department of Health website.