We at Rady Children’s recognize the difficult situation our families with young infants are now in with the recent Abbott formula recalls and overall formula shortages. The table below contains possible substitutions for recalled formulas as provided by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (naspghan.org).
We do not recommend homemade formulas or adding extra water to formulas.
Please discuss with your primary care/medical care provider prior to any/all substitutions.
UPDATE: December 2023 Formula Shortage Customer Letter – View in English and Spanish
IMPORTANT: Safety Concern Regarding Abbott Formula – View Here
California Department of Public Health: Infant Formula – View Here
In the News
- Transitioning Away from Baby Formula During the Shortage? Here is How to Do It Safely, USA Today, features Jeannie Huang, M.D., M.P.H. (5/23/22)
- Local Expert Offers Tips to Parents Having Trouble Finding Baby Formula, 10 News.com, features Laura Beaston, Clinical Nutrition Manager (5/09/22)
Recalled Formula | Comparable Formula (in alphabetical formula by formula name) |
Elecare infant | Alfamino infant (Nestle)
Neocate infant (Nutricia) Neocate Syneo (NOT for use in kids with short bowel syndrome – Nutricia) Puramino DHA & ARA infant (Reckitt Mead Johnson) |
Elecare Jr (all flavors and unflavored) | Alfamino Jr (Nestle)
Equaquare Jr (Cambrooke) Essential Care Jr (Cambrooke) Neocate Jr (Nutricia) Neocate Splash (Nutricia) Puramino Jr (Reckitt Mead Johnson) |
Similac Alimentum powder | Gerber Extensive HA (Gerber)
Nutramigen (Reckitt Mead Johnson) Pregestimil (Reckitt Mead Johnson) Similac Alimentum Ready to Feed liquid (Abbott) Store Brand Hypoallergenic Infant Formula (Perrigo) (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, MEB, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Topco and Amazon) |
Similac Soy | Earth’s Best Organic Soy (Earth’s Best)
Enfamil Prosobee (Reckitt Mead Johnson) Good Start Soy (Gerber) Store Brand Soy Infant Formula (Perrigo) (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, MEB, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Topco and Amazon) |
Similac Sensitive | Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity (Earth’s Best)
Enfamil Gentlease (Reckitt Mead Johnson) Good Start Soothe Pro (Gerber) Similac Sensitive Ready to Feed liquid or concentrate liquid (Abbott) Store Brand Sensitivity Infant Formula (Perrigo) (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Topco and Amazon) |
Similac Pro Advance | Earth’s Best Gentle formula (Earth’s Best)
Enfamil Newborn, Infant, or Reguline (Reckitt Mead Johnson) Good Start Gentle (Gerber) |
Similac Spit Up | Enfamil AR (Reckitt Mead Johnson)
Similac for Spit Up Ready to Feed liquid (Abbott) Store Brand Added Rice Infant Formula (Perrigo) (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Topco and Amazon) |
Similac Total Comfort | Good Start Gentle (Gerber)
Good Start GentlePro (Gerber) Similac Total Comfort Ready to Feed liquid (Abbott) Store Brand Complete Comfort Infant Formula (Perrigo) (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Topco and Amazon) |
Currently the FDA is advising consumers NOT to use Similac, Alimentum or Elecare powdered formula if it meets all of the following criteria:
1) The first two digits of the product code (located on the bottom of the can, are 22 through 37
AND
2) The code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2.
AND
3) The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
For more information, please visit https://naspghan.org/recent-news/naspghan-tools-for-hcps-affected-by-formula-recall.