Similac Recall 2022 Lawsuit Information

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted March 4, 2022

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8/8/2022 UPDATE: With dozens of Similac recall lawsuits filed in 2022 throughout the federal court system, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has established centralized pretrial proceedings for the cases before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly in the Northern District of Illinois. While the litigation will be handled similar to a Similac recall class action, each individual family will still have the opportunity to establish that their baby suffered an injury from contaminated Similac. Lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review new claims.


Similac and EleCare Baby Formula Recall 2022

Abbott Laboratories announced a Similac recall in late February 2022, impacting toxic baby formula that has been sold to families throughout the United States. Contaminated Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formula products have been linked to reports of Salmonella Newport and Cronobacter sakazakii infections, as well as meningitis and other life-threatening injuries.

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Saiontz & Kirk, PA, Attorneys & Lawyers, Baltimore, MD

The baby formula lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are pursuing Similac recall lawsuit settlements for parents of children who became ill after being fed any of the recalled powdered infant formulas:

  • Similac Total Comfort Powder
  • Similac for Spit Up Formula
  • Similac PM 60/40 Formula
  • Similac Sensitive Formula
  • Similac Advance Formula
  • Alimentum Powdered Formula
  • EleCare Infant Formula
  • EleCare Jr. formula

It appears that Abbott knew about the Similac contamination problems for months before recalling the baby formula, delaying critical warnings for parents and caregivers about the risk of Salmonella, Cronobacter and other infections.

Recent reports suggest that the manufacturer discovered contaminated baby powder as early as September 2021, raising serious questions about why the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare recall was not announced until February 17, 2022.

It appears that concerns about profits were placed before the health and safety of children nationwide.

A Similac recall settlement can provide important financial compensation and benefits for families impacted by these products, and hold the manufacturer accountable for placing infants at risk. There are no fees or expenses unless a Similac recall payout is obtained for your family.

Which Similac was recalled in 2022?

The Abbott recall initially included all Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered formula manufactured at a Sturgis, Michigan facility with an expiration date of April 1, 2022 or later. Containers of formula affected by the recall have a multidigit number on the bottom of the can with the first two digits consisting of 22 through 37, and containing the digits K8, SH or Z2.

On February 28, the recall was expanded to also include one lot of Similac PM 60/40 with lot number  27032K80 for cans and lot number 27032K800 for affected cases. These also have an expiration date of April 1, 2022 or later and were also manufactured at the Sturgis facility.

Similac Recall

The Similac formula recall includes several popular variations of the powdered formulas. You may qualify for a Similac recall lawsuit if your child consumed one of the following recalled baby formula products and became ill:

  • Similac Advance Formula- 12.4 oz
  • Similac Total Comfort Powder- 12.6 oz
  • Similac for Spit Up Formula- 12.5 oz
  • Similac PM 60/40 Formula- All sizes
  • Similac Sensitive Formula- 12.5 oz

Similac Alimentum Recall

Recalled Similac Alimentum formulas are a hypoallergenic option for infants who suffer from milk allergies, intolerance, reflux or colic. While the formula does in-fact contain cow’s milk proteins, the proteins are broken down so they are easier for infants to digest.

Infants consuming contaminated Similac Alimentum formula may be at a particularly increased risk of suffering severe gastrointestinal injuries or death if exposed to Salmonella Newport or Cronobacter sakazakii. A Similac Alimentum lawsuit settlement may be available if your child consumed:

  • Similac Alimentum Powdered Formula- All sizes

EleCare Recall

The Similac EleCare recall includes both the Elecare Infant powder and EleCare Jr formula, which are each hypoallergenic formulas designed for infants who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders and severe food allergies. These formulas are used as an alternative to traditional cow’s milk based formulas, and do not contain lactose-based ingredients.

You may qualify for an EleCare recall lawsuit if your child consumed one of the following recalled EleCare baby formula products and became ill.

  • EleCare Infant Formula- All sizes
  • EleCare Jr. Formula- All sizes

How do I check if my Similac was recalled?

At the time of the Similac recall, Abbott released a series of resources for customers to identify whether their products are impacted. Those resources include a Similac recall Frequently Asked Questions section, a Similac recall serial number lookup tool, and website at similacrecall.com. Customers may also contact Abbott customer service at 1-800-986-8540.

The Similac recall lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. can help parents of children who became ill after being fed powdered infant formula find out whether their Similac, Alimentum or EleCare was recalled.

Similac Recall Side Effects

The side effects from recalled Similac formula contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport exposure may initially present themselves as mild fever, fussiness, low energy and poor feeding. However, if not treated, symptoms could progress into worsening conditions that could result in sepsis or meningitis, or other potentially life-threatening infant side effects caused by the contaminated baby formula.

Infants who have consumed potentially contaminated recalled Similac, EleCare or Alimentum baby formulas that are showing the following symptoms should contact their pediatrician immediately:

  • Fever
  • Poor Feeding
  • Excessive Crying
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach Pain
  • Bloody Stool
  • Seizures
  • Jaundice
  • Grunting Breaths
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Diarrhea

Salmonella Formula Recall Risks

Salmonella is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract and usually causes symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain lasting between four and seven days. The illness can become worse if treatment is delayed, which often occurs because the infection can only be diagnosed by testing stool samples, and is usually treated with a course of antibiotics.

Among babies with weaker immune systems, the illness can pose a much greater risk and may lead to death or stillbirth if left untreated. In rare circumstances, the infection can even spread throughout the bloodstream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Cronobacter Formula Recall Risks

Cronobacter is a rare type of infection linked to some species of gram negative bacteria often found in dry foods such as infant formula, skimmed milk powder, tea and starches.

Cronobacter infections are particularly dangerous for infants, as it can cause sepsis or severe meningitis, both of which can be fatal. In some cases, infants suffer seizures or long-term neurological damage.

Symptoms can include fevers, crying irritability, bloody stool, poor feeding, excessive crying, seizures, and jaundice. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatality rate may be as high as 40% for infants who contract cronobacter poisoning.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious and potentially fatal condition which causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. When this swelling occurs it causes pressure against the spine and brain, which can result in serious and potentially life threatening consequences.

While rare, infant meningitis is a very severe disease and carries a mortality rate upward of 10%, and can leave children with long-term complications such as speech impediments, memory issues, vision loss, seizures and cognitive impairment, among others.

Sepsis Infections

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction from infection. It is a condition caused by an infection in the body and typically stems from serious infections like pneumonia, appendicitis, infections of the blood, and other infections like urinary infections and skin infections.

Neonatal sepsis, which is the occurrence of the condition within a child’s first 90 days is extremely dangerous and is recognized as one of the leading causes of infant mortality due to their underdeveloped immune system unable to handle the infection. Mortality rates of neonatal sepsis may be as high as 50% for infants who are not treated.

Similac Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Concerns

At the same time Abbott Laboratories was apparently working to delay and avoid the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare recall, the company was facing a growing number of Similac NEC lawsuit brought by families of premature babies diagnosed with a devastating gastrointestinal disorder after being cow’s milk versions of Similac.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease that causes the walls of a baby’s intestines to become infected with bacteria, which causes destruction of the bowel tissues, often resulting in emergency surgery while a premature infant is still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In many cases, it leads to the need for emergency NEC surgery or an infant’s death.

The baby formula recall lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. also represent families nationwide who are pursuing a NEC lawsuit, alleging that Abbott Laboratories placed its desire for profits before the health of infants by continuing to promote Similac for premature babies, without warning about the risk of necrotizing enterocolits.

GET A FREE SIMILAC CASE EVALUATION

Similac Recall Class Action Lawsuit

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating individual lawsuits and Similac recall class action lawsuits for families of children who suffered illness or died due to Salmonella, Cronobacter or other infections after consuming the toxic baby formula.

It appears Abbott Laboratories knew or should have know it’s contaminated baby formula placed infants at risk for Salmonella or other infections, yet continued to sell it for months. As a result, the company should be required to pay substantial Similac recall compensation to families impacted by their reckless actions.

Request a free consultation and claim evaluation to determine whether a Similac recall settlement may be available for your family. All Similac recall lawsuits are handled by our law firm on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket expenses to hire our lawyers and we only receive attorney fees or expenses if we win your case.

2 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Shannon says:

    All 4 of my daughters were fed Similac Alimentum as infants. There young adults. Are there long term effects with Simolac Alimentum?

    Posted on August 10, 2022 at 2:30 am

  • Matima says:

    There should never be a deadline for your child’s health due to providing nutrition Similac powder formula or any formula that is needed for nourishing.

    Posted on May 21, 2023 at 4:30 am

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