Baby Formula Recall: Risk of Infant Iron Insufficiency
Sam Uribe. Author
Several brands of baby formula are under recall after discovery that the products do not meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) iron standards and other requirements. The baby formula recall includes brands manufactured by Able Groupe, including Bioland, HiPP, Holle, and Kendamil.
According to the FDA, the baby formula has insufficient iron, which is dangerous for infants, especially those:
- Born prematurely
- Low birth weight
- Born with low iron levels
- At risk for iron deficiency
Babies with iron deficiency can develop a condition called iron deficiency anemia, which can cause severe and irreversible functional and cognitive developmental problems.
Baby Formula Recall Information
This baby formula recall includes products that are available for purchase online through the website, Little Bundle. Formula is then imported into the U.S. They are not sold in retail stores. The products in the recall were distributed beginning May 20, 2021. Around 76,000 units are affected by the recall. This includes products:
HiPP:
- Anti-Reflux Milk Formula
- Comfort Milk Formula
- Dutch Stage 1 Combiotic Infant Milk Formula
- Dutch Stage 2 Combiotic Follow-on Milk Formula
- HA Germany Hypoallergenic Stage PRE Combiotic Infant Milk Formula
- HA Germany Hypoallergenic Stage 1 Combiotic Infant Milk Formula
- HA Germany Hypoallergenic Stage 2 Combiotic Follow-on Milk Formula
- German Stage 1 Combiotic Infant Milk Formula
- German Stage 2 Combiotic Follow-on Infant Milk Formula
Holle:
- Bio Stage PRE Organic Infant Milk Formula
- Bio Stage 1 Organic Infant Milk Formula
- Bio Stage 2 Organic Follow-on Milk Formula
- Goat Stage 1 Organic Infant Milk Formula
- Goat Stage 2 Organic Follow-On Infant Milk Formula
- Goat Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula
Lebenswert Anfangsmilch:
- Stage 1 Organic Infant Milk Formula
- Stage 2 Organic Follow-on Milk Formula
HiPP UK:
- Stage 1 Combiotic First Infant Milk Formula
- Stage 2 Combiotic Follow-on Infant Milk Formula
Kendamil Organic:
- Stage 1 First Infant Milk Formula
- Stage 2 Follow on Milk Formula
The FDA requires infant formula to contain a certain amount of iron. Products that do not must be labeled accordingly. The agency says that eight of Able Groupe’s formula products did not have such labeling. Additionally, some of their formula products did not have the mandatory English labeling that is required by the Code of Federal Regulations.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia
When your child doesn’t get enough iron, they can develop symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, such as:
- Irritability
- Lack of energy
- Pale skin
- Rapid heart rate
- Swollen tongue
- Enlarged spleen
Infants and young children with these symptoms should see their doctor. A blood test can screen for iron deficiency. Infants and children who have low iron levels may need iron supplements or an increase in iron-rich foods. Infants may need iron fortifiers added to breastmilk or formula.
What to do With Recalled Baby Formula
Parents who use any of these products should check to see if they have products included in this baby formula recall. If so, the FDA says,
“Consumers who have these products at home should not use them as infant formula and should safely dispose of them immediately.”
Parents who have questions can contact Able Groupe by email at recallquestions@ablegroupe.com.
If your baby has become ill after eating these products, contact your pediatrician right away. Iron deficiency anemia is a potentially serious illness.
If your child is ill due to a product in this recall, contact Birth Injury Guide to learn more about your legal rights. Our birth injury lawyer can help you sort out your situation and determine if your child’s illness is due to negligence.
Sources:
- https://www.newsweek.com/baby-formula-recall-these-products-are-being-recalled-over-concerns-iron-insufficiency-1617934
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/able-groupe-recalling-products-labeled-infant-formula-formulas-have-insufficient-iron-levels
- https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions—pediatrics/i/iron-deficiency-anemia-in-children.html
Sam Uribe is a researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to the team at Birth Injury Guide to provide up-to-date and relevant content that clients can count on.