Texas WIC Adds Formula Options for Families Affected by Recall
TexasWIC.org Publishes List of Temporarily Added Formula Options
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Texas WIC is actively working with the USDA and Abbott, the makers of Similac, on the impact of the infant formula recall on families. WIC has temporarily added more options so you can find a formula at the store to meet your baby’s needs without updating your card. Check your baby’s formula below to see what options are available for you.
For Similac Advance, Similac Total Comfort, Similac Sensitive, and Similac for Spit-Up, WIC has temporarily added more options. For a list of alternative brands temporarily added by WIC, parents can visit texashhs.org/wicfoodupdates and visit TexasWIC.org for the most up-to-date information on alternative formulas. Parents who cannot find the brands or sizes listed on the website at the store are encouraged to contact their regular WIC office for assistance. More brands and sizes will be added as needed.
For Alimentum, Similac PM 60/40, Elecare and Elecare Jr., clients will need to contact their health care provider to ask for a new prescription as WIC is unable to offer alternative formulas without a prescription. These are highly specialized formulas that are prescribed for specific reasons, so a health care provider must be consulted to make sure that the formula will meet the infant’s medical needs.
Safety Information
If someone has purchased powdered baby or toddler formula with the brand names Similac, Alimentum or EleCare, the first thing they should do is check to see if their formula was affected at https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html. Look at the bottom of the can or container and find the lot number and enter it into the website. If recalled, do not use it, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get a replacement. Abbott can be contacted at 1-800-986-8540.
Parents can contact their baby’s health care provider if their baby recently drank one of the recalled products and is experiencing fever, not eating well, excessive crying, low energy, or other symptoms.
If the formula was not included in the recall, families can still use it.
Because babies need a specific balance of nutrients, WIC and the American Academy of Pediatrics do not recommend making baby formula at home, and it is not safe to use cows’ milk or overly dilute the formula.
For more information, contact Kathrine Galvan – WIC Program Director 361-826-1355 or at kathrineg3@cctexas.com
About Texas WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which is administered by Texas HHSC, is a nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and families with children younger than 5. Texas WIC helps improve the diets of infants and children as well as pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women by providing monthly healthy food packages, nutrition counseling, education and breastfeeding support. For more information, visit the Texas WIC website.