WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Abbott health care company is recalling hundreds of thousands of bottles of infant formula because they might not have enough vitamin C.

The recall is for approximately 100,000 32-ounce plastic bottles of Similac Alimentum Advance liquid formula and approximately 200,000 bottles of Similac Advance with Iron, Abbott spokeswoman Tracey Noe said Friday.

The bottles, distributed by Abbott's Ross Products division, are missing a layer of material that keeps air out of the bottle, Noe said. When oxygen enters the bottle, it causes the vitamin C to break down over time, she said.

If infants drink formula without enough vitamin C for two to four weeks, they could start exhibiting symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, which include irritability with generalized tenderness, the company said in a release. So far, Abbott has received no medical complaints.

The Similac Alimentum Advance has stock code 57512, lot number 401895V and use-by 1 May 2007 printed on the back of the bottle; the Similac Advance with Iron has stock code 55961, lot numbers 40177RH or 40172RH and use-by 1 November 2007. Some of the bottles may have been included in Similac Advance Hospital Discharge Kits -- stock code 58986 and lot number 41699D5 are printed on the back of the bear tag attached to the kit.

Abbott, formerly known as Abbott Laboratories, is based in suburban Chicago.

Consumers with questions can contact Abbott's Ross Products division at 800-624-3412.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 01:18 pm:

I just heard this on KYW radio, Collette, and was going to search and post it. Glad you did.