News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 September 23, 2010
CONTACT: Katie McKenna
kmckenna@topsmarkets.com

   
ABBOTT NUTRITION VOLUNTARILY RECALLS CERTAIN VARIETIES OF SIMILAC BRAND POWDER INFANT FORMULA DUE TO
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, announced today that Abbott Nutrition, manufacturer of Similac brand infant formulas has issued a voluntary recall of certain varieties of Similac brand powder infant formula due to the possibility of product not meeting quality standards. The products were recalled after an internal quality review which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted.

As part of the manufacturer’s voluntary recall up to five million Similac brand powder infant formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, and some Caribbean countries have been affected. Seven varieties of Similac brand powder infant formula have been taken off Tops Markets’ store shelves.

A list of recalled items carried at Tops Friendly Markets locations include:

– Similac Advance Sensitive Powder DHA/AHA, 23.2 oz – 700750818

– Similac Isomil Advance Soy Powder, 23.2 oz – 7007450820

– Similac Organic Powder DHA/AHA, 23.2 oz – 7007450822

– Similac Go & Grow Milk Powder, 22 oz – 7007450828

– Similac Advance Early Shield Powder, 23.2 oz – 7007453360

– Similac Advance LCP Iron Powder, 12.9 oz – 7007455958

– Similac Isomil Advance Soy/Iron Powder, 12.9 oz – 7007455964

To immediately find out if the product in your possession is included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected, or call (800) 986-8850.

In an issued statement from Holger Liepmann, executive vice president, Abbott Nutrition, "Abbott understands that parents expect to feed their children only the highest quality product. We are taking this action so that parents know that the infant formula products they provide unquestionably meet the highest quality standards for which they are known. We regret any inconvenience this situation poses to parents and consumers." Customers should check their homes for these products and discard them, or return the product(s) to any Tops, P&C or Bi-Lo location for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact the Abbott Nutrition hotline at (800) 986-8850.

Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 131 full-service supermarkets – 126 company-owned and five franchise locations. With more than 13,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.

 

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