Premature Infant Formula Is Recalled

Friday, May 25th 2007, 8:51 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories on Friday recalled about 5,000 cases of 2-ounce bottles of a highly specialized liquid ready-to-feed formula used only for premature infants because they don't contain as much iron as indicated on the label.

Similac Special Care 24 Cal / fl. oz. Ready-to-Feed Premature Infant Formula with Iron, primarily sold through pharmacies at the direction of a health care professional, is fed to premature infants after discharge from the hospital, Abbott said in a statement from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.

Premature infants fed this formula for more than a month after discharge could have an increased risk of developing anemia due to insufficient iron intake, the company said.

The recall was limited to three lots with stock code number 59582 and lot numbers 46815D5, 47847D5 or 52023D5 printed on the outside carton and case and the lot numbers 44427X8, 44427X81 or 50005X8 printed on the bottom of the bottles. No other liquid or powdered Similac infant formulas were affected.

The three lots of infant formula were distributed in the United States between November 2006 and May 2007.

Consumers with questions should contact Abbott's Ross Products Division at 1-888-899-9182.