IMPORTANT: Recall of EleCare infant formula products: 
Advice on supply of substitute products  

See Food Recall to identify affected products and batches: 
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/Elecare,-Similac-and-Alimentum-infant-formula-products.aspx.   

Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd is conducting a precautionary recall of various powdered infant formula products including EleCare, Similac and Alimentum manufactured in the United States. The products are available nationally through prescription at pharmacies, hospitals and via direct mail order.

The Problem 

The recall is due to potential microbial contamination (Cronobacter and Salmonella). Food products contaminated with Cronobacter or Salmonella may cause illness if consumed. 

What to do 

• Advise parents and caregivers that they should change to a suitable alternative product as soon as possible. Cease feeding with the recalled batches of product once an alternative product has been sourced.
• Advise parents/caregivers to return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund, once an alternative product has been sourced.
• Medical advice on alternative products can be sought from the treating doctor.
• Community pharmacists are asked to assist parents/carers to identify and source suitable alternative formula products.

Amino acid infant formulas are not Schedule 4 prescription-only medicines. Supply may be made over the counter. However due to the high daily cost of these formulas, it is suggested that pharmacists might supply the alternative product at a price based on the assumption that the relevant specialist will provide a PBS Authority prescription for the substitute product.   

It is recommended that pharmacists review existing patients treated with these specialised formulas and proactively source supply of an alternative product in preparation for requests from parents and caregivers to facilitate product continuation in the coming days.  

Potential alternative products 

See the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Guide for Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy: https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy 

EleCare is PBS Authority listed for eosinophilic oesophagitis; cows' milk protein enteropathy; severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive; combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae; proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein; cows' milk anaphylaxis; cows' milk protein enteropathy; severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome. 

EleCare LCP is PBS Authority listed for cows’ milk protein enteropathy; combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae; proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein; cows' milk anaphylaxis; cows' milk protein enteropathy; severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome. 

See www.pbs.gov.au for details of PBS Authority listings and where specialist PBS Authority prescriptions are required for PBS subsidy.  

Alternative product supply 

NSW Health is working with community pharmacies to facilitate access to alternative products.  If you are unable to access stock, email the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia at simone.diamandis@psa.org.au. 

Communication with GPs and other treating medical specialists 

If contact with the treating doctor is not possible then advise the usual prescribing doctor that the substitute product was supplied over the counter and a PBS Authority prescription is required to reimburse the consumer.    
 

Dr Kerry Chant PSM 
Chief Health Officer 

19 February 2022