Recalls:  Powdered Baby Formula - Similac

Parents who have purchased Abbott Laboratories' product Similac as powdered baby formula are concerned following announcements yesterday and today related to a recall of 5,000,000 containers of Similac, the well-known powdered baby formula.  The product is being recalled because it may contain insect parts of beetles and/or their larva.  (So far, the type of beetle has not been made known.)

Thus far, this recall does not affect any liquid baby formula manufactured by Abbott.  Abbott Laboratories, based in North Chicago, Illinois, voluntarily closed the area of the Michigan processing plant where this particular product was made after discovering insects and have consulted the Food and Drug Administration, which deemed there are no immediately perceived deleterious effects on babies' health, other than possible gastro-intestinal discomfort, which might discourage babies from eating.  

The Similac products were sold in various sized plastic containers, including 8, 12.4, and 12.9 ounce containers.  Consumers can access Abbott Labs' 24-hour hotline by calling

1-800-986-8850 to learn more about the recall.  If you have a container of  Similac, you also can enter the lot number of the container online at www.similac.com/recall to determine if your container is one of those being recalled.  All recalled products may be returned to Abbott Laboratories free of charge for a full refund. The website and the consumer hotline both have instructions for purchasers on how to complete the recall.

Remember the Monster Egg Recall of approximately 4 weeks ago?

The widespread food recalls lately are forcing us as food purchasers and consumers to ask repeatedly, "How safe is the food we are buying, consuming, and feeding our children?" Here's a peculiar note on the recent giant egg recall: two of the egg production executives involved have displayed entirely different reactions before Congressional hearings this week. While the DeCoster family (Wright County Egg) is devastated their eggs may have caused 1,600 people to become ill, the CEO of Hillandale pled the Fifth Amendment.  While we draw some conclusions, we wonder if massive corporate farm food production is leading to more frequent unsafe consumption by the general public? Does the food inspection process need to be ramped up to protect us and our children, in general? This is something we should consider as citizens, consumers, parents, and caregivers.

Children's Mood Rings and Necklaces Recalled Due to Lead!

These "Love-Tester" Mood Rings and Necklaces manufactured in China and sold in small retail stores throughout the U.S. through D&D Distributing of Tacoma, Washington, contain high levels of lead which is toxic if ingested. These products directed to the children's toy/jewelry market are being voluntarily recalled by the distributor, but 19,000-18" Necklaces and 4,000 adjustable mood rings have been sold between 2005 and this date.  Beyond being disappointed, childsafetyblog.org asks why is a product labeled "Love Tester" and "Are You In The Mood?" being sold to young children in the first place? One must wonder!

Wishing you a safe first week of Autumn!