Abbott Laboratories recalled infant formula in 2022 after Cronobacter contamination was found at a Michigan facility.
Abbott recalled several powdered formula products made at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare products. The action followed reports of infant illnesses and an inspection that found Cronobacter sakazakii in the facility environment, along with other sanitation concerns.
Powdered infant formula is not sterile, so manufacturers use strict controls to reduce microbial risks. Cronobacter infections are rare but can be severe in newborns, potentially causing bloodstream infection or meningitis. The recall and temporary plant closure contributed to a major U.S. infant-formula shortage.
This event is distinct from the 2010 Similac recall, which involved beetles and beetle parts at an Abbott facility. Both recalls involved Abbott, but they concerned different hazards and different years.