MOH says 9 hospitals used infant formula that may be contaminated; no bad outcomes reported so far

SINGAPORE — Nine hospitals have confirmed that they used batches of Abbott brand infant formula products that might have been contaminated with bacteria, though none of the hospitals has reported any “adverse events” to date, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.

In a statement on Wednesday (Feb 23), MOH advised parents and caregivers of infants who have bought affected batches of the two products — Abbott Similac Alimentum powdered infant formula and Similac Human Milk Fortifier — to stop using them immediately. 

The ministry is also working with the hospitals to identify and contact parents and caregivers of patients who might have received the affected products.

It advised parents and caregivers to seek medical assistance should their infants feel unwell after consuming the milk products.

The nine hospitals that have confirmed that they used the affected batches are:

• Gleneagles Hospital
• KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
• Mount Alvernia Hospital
• Mount Elizabeth Hospital
• Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
• National University Hospital
• Raffles Hospital
• Singapore General Hospital
• Thomson Medical Centre

MOH’s statement came after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) directed the importer, Abbott Laboratories, to recall the affected products due to possible contamination with the Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria.

The affected batches of the Abbott products originate from the United States and can be identified by the lot number and expiry date indicated at the bottom of the packaging. 

The first two digits of the code are “22”  through to “37”. The code on the container also contains “K8”, “SH” or “Z2” and the expiration date is on April 1, 2022 or later. This applies to both the infant formula and the human milk fortifier supplement.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of use of the implicated products in hospitals, MOH added.

It is advising all public and private hospitals to be vigilant for Cronobacter infection or Salmonellosis among infants or young children who may have consumed the affected products.

Symptoms of Cronobacter infection include:

• Fever
• Crying
• Poor feeding
• Lethargy seizures

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include: 

• Diarrhoea
• Fever 
• Abdominal cramps
• Aches 
• Headaches
• Lethargy 
• Rash 
• Blood in urine or stools

Both infections can be treated by antibiotics, MOH said.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, SFA said that the recall of the two products is completed.

The recall was first announced last Saturday, after the US Food and Drug Administration issued a notification that it was working with Abbott Nutrition to initiate a voluntary recall of the Alimentum powdered infant formula. 

The US authorities are investigating the consumer complaints of infections reportedly linked to the consumption of the product.

RARE BUT POTENTIALLY FATAL

Cronobacter sakazakii is a bacterium found in the environment that can survive dry conditions, such as dry food that may be infant formula and powdered milk. It cannot be spread from person to person.

Cronobacter infections are generally rare, but when associated with serious infections such as meningitis in infants, it may be fatal. 

It may also cause serious illness among persons with immunocompromised conditions and those in old age.

The incubation period ranges from four to nine days, but can be up to 21 days. 

Salmonella Newport is a bacterium that can be found in many foods, including vegetables, meat and processed food.

It can be transmitted when contaminated food is consumed.

The incubation period ranges from six hours to six days after infection.

Infants, young children under the age of five, elders aged 65 years and above as well as immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe illness.

SFA said that parents and caregivers who wish to seek clarification may call Abbott Laboratories at 6278 6220 or email family.sg [at] abbott.com.