The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is warning that three brands of powdered infant formula were recalled on Feb. 17 for possible Cronobacter or Salmonella contamination. The agency is asking Indiana physicians to report any suspected cases. 

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into four consumer complaints about sick infants in other states who consumed powdered formula, according to a Feb. 22 alert from the Indiana Health Alert Network (IHAN-IN).  All the infants were hospitalized, and one died. The cases developed between November 2020 and the present and were linked to infant formula produced at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Mich. The recalled formula was sold under the brand names Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, including EleCare Jr. 

Although no cases have been identified in Indiana, physicians should report any Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport infections that could be associated with consuming powdered infant formula to the IDOH at 317-233-7125. Physicians should also check to ensure they are not distributing recalled infant formula, IDOH said.

For further details on the recall, as well as clinician and consumer information about Cronobacter infections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, read the IHAN-IN alert.

More information about IHAN-IN, including a link to sign up for future alerts, can be found on the IHAN-IN webpage.