The Saudi and Gulf market is free from the powder infant formula Similac possibly contaminated with beetles or their larvae after concerns were raised by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the milk producer said Tuesday. Thaer Salem, regional general director of Abbott company, said the product in the Gulf region is safe for use and it is different from the recalled infected powder infant formuals sold in the United States. The recall of these powder infant formulas in the US included certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic containers and in 8-ounce (227 gm), 12.4-ounce (350 gm) and 12.9-ounce (365 gm) cans, he said. “None of these products is imported into the Saudi and Gulf market,” he said. The products lines of Similac powder infant formulas offered in 400 gm and 900 gm containers in Saudi Arabia are manufactured in Ireland and different from the recalled formulas in the US, he said. A pharmacist in Jeddah said they have not received any complaint about the Similac products on shelf. “It was business as usual for this product,” said Dr. Saeed Salem. Dr. Mahjoob Azhari, drug consultant at a Jeddah pharmacy, said there were no real concerns over Similac products in Saudi Arabia. The warning of the SFDA Monday over the contaminated powder infant formulas was basically meant for Similac products sold in the US market. “There is nothing to worry about safe Similac products in Saudi Arabia that fully comply with health standards,” he added. Pharmacist Attallah Al-Said said no Similac products were withdrawn from the Saudi market. The US 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. To immediately find out if the product in possession is included in the US recall, parents and caregivers in Saudi Arabia should call this toll free number for the company 800-120-0888. Meanwhile, the Arab Center for Nutrition, based in Bahrain, said that the recall of contaminated Similac powder infant formulas in the US, Portico, Guam, and some Caribbean Islands has no effect on the Gulf market. “What we have in the Gulf market is the 400 gm and 900 gm cans of Similac powder infant formulas that are totally different from the recalled plastic containers in the US,” said Dr. Abdul-Rahman Musaiger, head of Arab Center for Nutrition.
