similac
{{Short description|Brand of infant formula}}
{{Infobox brand
| name = Similac
| logo =
| logo_upright =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image = Comforts and Similac Formula at Kroger.JPG
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption = Similac infant formula in a supermarket aisle
| producttype = {{Plainlist|
- Infant formula
- Organic infant formula
- Soy-based infant formula
- Prenatal vitamins
- Breastfeeding supplements
}}
| currentowner = Abbott Laboratories
| producedby =
| origin = United States
| introduced = {{start date and age|1925}}
| discontinued =
| related = {{Plainlist|
- Pure Bliss
- Go & Grow
}}
| markets = Worldwide
| previousowners = Moores & Ross Milk Company
| trademarkregistrations =
| ambassadors =
| tagline = Because of Science
| website = {{Plainlist|
- {{URL|https://similac.com}}
- {{URL|https://pureblissbaby.com}}
}}
| module =
| module1 =
}}
Similac (for "similar to lactation") is a brand of infant formula that was developed by Alfred Bosworth of Tufts University and marketed by Abbott Laboratories.{{cite book |author=Stacey |first1=James E. |url= |title=The Corporate social challenge |last2=Sturdivant |first2=Frederick D. |publisher= |year=1994 |isbn= |page= |quote=that same year one of the founders, Stanley Ross, met Alfred Bosworth, a famous milk chemist. ... Ross began to produce a formula for Bosworth called Similac. ...}} It was first released in the late 1920s, and then reformulated and concentrated in 1951. Today, Similac is sold in 96 countries worldwide.{{cite web|title=Similac. Because of Science|url=http://www.superbrands.co.il/pdf/2013/Similac_13_En.pdf|website=Super Brands|accessdate=25 October 2016}}
History
- 1903 - Harry C. Moores and Stanley M. Ross launch the Moores & Ross Milk Company which specialized on bottling milk for home delivery.{{cite web|title=Ross Laboratories |url= http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Ross_Laboratories|website=Ohio History Central| accessdate=24 October 2016}}
- 1925 - Alfred Bosworth creates an infant formula called “Franklin Infant Food”, later renamed to Similac.{{cite web|title=Abbott Nutrition's History |url=http://www.nutritionnews.abbott/our-history.html|website=Nutrition News |accessdate=24 October 2016}}
- 1928 - Company renames itself to "M & R Diatetic Laboratories", sells off its regular milk operations to Borden and focuses on infant milk.
- 1950 - Company introduces "Similac Concentrated Liquid" in the USA, a non-powder infant formula.
- 1959 - Company launches "Similac with Iron", an iron-fortified infant formula.
- 1961 - Similac opens a new plant in The Netherlands, its first factory outside of the US
- 1962 - Similac begins offering "Similac PM 60/40", for babies with specific medical conditions.
- 1964 - Company merges with Abbott Laboratories.
- 1966 - Similac introduces "Isomil", a soy-based formula.
- 1970 - Similac arrives in Israel.{{cite web|title=Similac. Because of Science|url=http://www.superbrands.co.il/pdf/2013/Similac_13_En.pdf|website=SuperBrands.il |accessdate=25 October 2016}}
- 1994 - Similac launches "NeoCare", a formula tailored to premature babies. Later renamed to "Similac NeoSure".
- 1999 - Similac creates "Similac with Iron Ready to Feed" formula bottle.
- 2000 - Similac starts offering "Human Milk Fortifier".
- 2002 - Similac introduces "Similac Advance with Iron", an infant formula with DHA and ARA.
- 2006 - Similac launches "Similac Organic", a certified USDA organic infant formula.
- 2011 - Simiilac launches "Similac Advance Plus", "Similac LeMehadrin" and "Similac Gentle" (lactose-free formula).
- 2013
- Similac begins offering "Similac Human Milk Fortifier Concentrated Liquid" for preterm babies in NICUs.
- Similac launches a formula designed for breastfeeding moms who choose to supplement.
- Similac launches "The Baby Journal" app, Diaper Decoder and Ecodu developmental kits.
- 2014
- Similac promotes "Similac Breastfeeding Supplement" for nursing mothers.{{cite news|title=Similac Launches Breastfeeding Supplement for Nursing Mothers |url=http://www.empr.com/news/similac-launches-breastfeeding-supplement-for-nursing-mothers/article/362563/| website= empr.com |accessdate=24 October 2016| publisher=MPR|date=July 24, 2014}}
- Gain products like Gain, Gain Plus and Gain School we're included in the Similac line up.
- 2015
- Similac brings forward "Similac Advance NON-GMO", a formula with ingredients not genetically engineered.{{cite news|last1=Strom|first1=Stephanie|title=Similac Advance Infant Formula to Be Offered G.M.O.-Free |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/26/business/similac-advance-infant-formula-to-be-offered-gmo-free.html?_r=0|accessdate=24 October 2016|agency=New York Times|publisher= | website= The New York Times|date=May 25, 2015}}{{cite news| title=Similac Advance Baby Formula Maker To Release GMO-Free Version |url=http://abc7.com/food/similac-advance-maker-to-release-gmo-free-baby-formula/742726/|accessdate=24 October 2016|agency=ABC 7|date=May 26, 2015}}
- Similac delivers a "big hit"{{cite web|last1=Cullers|first1=Rebecca|title=Similac Has a Big Hit With One of the Most Honest Ads Ever About Parenting |url= http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/similac-has-big-hit-one-most-honest-ads-ever-about-parenting-162541|website=Adweek|date=26 January 2015 |accessdate=24 October 2016}} commercial,{{cite news|title=Judgy moms and dads face off in hit ad| url= http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/living/feat-similac-ad-parenting/| accessdate=24 October 2016| website=CNN.com |publisher=CNN|date=January 28, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Wechsler|first1=Pat|title=How a baby formula maker scored a viral hit [VIDEO]| url=http://fortune.com/2015/02/01/similac-video-sisterhood-motherhood/| accessdate=24 October 2016 |website=Fortune.com |publisher=| date=February 1, 2015}}{{cite web|last1= Klobucher| first1= Derek|title=How New Marketing is Helping Solve an Industry's Image Problem [VIDEO] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2015/01/29/how-new-marketing-is-helping-solve-an-industrys-image-problem-video/#6423f9c3132f| website= Forbes| accessdate=24 October 2016}} whereby actress sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff teamed with Similac "to help raise awareness against mom-on-mom bullying".{{cite web| last1=Movsesian|first1=AdrinaRose|title=Hilary & Haylie Duff Have a Message for Judgmental Moms|url=http://firsttoknow.com/hilary-duff-similac/| website=First to Know |accessdate=24 October 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Toomleey |first1= Alyssa|title=Hilary Duff Reveals She Was Judged After She Stopped Breastfeeding Luca, Talks Mommy Wars With Sister Haylie| url= http://www.eonline.com/news/684110/hilary-duff-reveals-she-was-judged-after-she-stopped-breastfeeding-luca-talks-mommy-wars-with-sister-haylie|accessdate=24 October 2016| website= eonline.com |publisher=E News|date=August 7, 2015}}
- 2016
- Similac introduces "Go & Grow by Similac Food Mix-Ins", a supplement designed to mix into the food of toddlers.{{cite press release |title=A Clever Way to Add Nutrition to Your Toddler's Favorite Foods: Go & Grow by Similac® Food Mix-Ins™| url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-clever-way-to-add-nutrition-to-your-toddlers-favorite-foods-go--grow-by-similac-food-mix-ins-300264540.html| accessdate=24 October 2016|publisher=PR Newswire|date=May 9, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Acosta|first1=Gina|title=Similac introduces first-ever mix-ins for toddler foods|url=http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/similac-introduces-first-ever-mix-ins-toddler-foods|accessdate=24 October 2016|publisher= | website= drugstorenews.com |date=May 9, 2016}}
- Similac begins offering "Pure Bliss by Similac", a formula starting with fresh milk from grass-fed cows that has no artificial growth hormones or antibiotics.
- Similac launches "Similac Pro-Advance" and "Similac Pro-Sensitive", formulas containing 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide.
- 2022
- By February 2022, Abbott had initiated a voluntary recall of some Similac and Alimentum powdered infant formula (PIF) after finding evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii in some areas of Abbott's Sturgis, Michigan facility,{{Cite web| work = Abbott Recall Canada |date=February 2022 |title= Similac and Alimentum Powder Formulas| access-date = 6 September 2022 | url = https://www.similacrecall.com/ca/en/home.html}} known for manufacturing Similac, the leading PIF brand.{{Cite news| last = Miranda| first = Shauneen| title = Abbott reopens Michigan baby formula plant after flooding| work = NPR| access-date = 6 September 2022 | date = 10 July 2022 | url = https://www.npr.org/2022/07/10/1110780292/abbott-reopens-michigan-baby-formula-plant-flooding}} In the US, about 90% of the multibillion-dollar PIF market is controlled by only four companies, including Abbott, and the Sturgis facility is Abbott's largest. Most of Abbott's powdered formula was produced there{{emdash}}mainly under the Similac brand name{{emdash}}representing 40% of the US market.{{Cite news| last = Sharp| first = Sonja| title = As baby formula shortage worsens, families take desperate steps| access-date = 6 September 2022 | date = 13 May 2022 | url = https://news.yahoo.com/baby-formula-shortage-worsens-families-215613961.html}} The Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a May 2022 update on the recall of certain Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products as they investigate four cases of hospitalized infants involving Cronobacter sakazakii infection following the infants' consumption of PIF produced in Sturgis plant.{{Cite journal| author = Office of the Commissioner| publisher= United States Food and Drug Administration | website= FDA.gov | title = Powdered Infant Formula Recall: What to Know | access-date = 6 September 2022 | date = 3 June 2022 | url = https://www.fda.gov/consumers/powdered-infant-formula-recall-what-know}} Abbott shut down the Sturgis plant, out of an abundance of caution. There is no evidence that the infants' infections were caused by the powdered formula.{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Enrich| first = David| title = How Abbott Kept Sick Babies From Becoming a Scandal| work = The New York Times| access-date = 6 September 2022 | date = 6 September 2022 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/06/business/abbott-baby-formula-lawsuits-jones-day.html}} The closure of the Sturgis plant for five months exacerbated the 2022 United States infant formula shortage which peaked in May.{{Cite magazine |last=Barry |first=Eloise |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Why It's So Hard to Find Baby Formula in the U.S. Right Now |url=https://time.com/6175211/baby-formula-shortage/ |access-date=May 19, 2022 |magazine=Time |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515151923/https://time.com/6175211/baby-formula-shortage/ |url-status=live }} As of June 2022, the FDA was unable to prove a causal relationship between the deaths of nine infants who had consumed Abbott's PIF and Abbott products.{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last = Reiley| first = Laura| title = New documents show more claims of baby formula illness and death| newspaper = Washington Post| access-date = 6 September 2022 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/10/baby-formula-deaths-abbott/}} The plant reopened in June.
Product lineup
Premature
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| Preemie Product
! Product Description ! Date |
|---|
| Similac NeoSure
| For babies who were born prematurely | 1994 |
Newborn & Infants
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Infant Product | Product Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Similac Soy Isomil | Soy-based infant formula | 1966 |
| Similac Organic | Certified USDA Organic formula | 2006 |
| Similac Alimentum | A supplemental beverage for children with severe food allergies, sensitivity to intact protein, protein maldigestion, or fat malabsorption | - |
| Similac Sensitive | Designed for fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity, or mild spit-up | - |
| Similac For Spit-Up | Milk-based formula with added rice starch to help reduce frequent spit-up | - |
| Similac Total Comfort | For discomfort due to persistent feeding issues | - |
| Similac For Supplementation | Formula for breastfeeding mothers who choose to introduce formula | 2013 |
| Similac Advance NON-GMO | Milk-based, iron-fortified infant formula with no genetically engineered organisms. | 2015 |
| Similac Pro-Advance | Formula with 2’-FL HMO designed to help strengthen a baby’s immune system to be more like the breastfed infant’s | 2016 |
| Similac Pro-Sensitive | Formula containing 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) and helping with fussiness, gas, or mild spit-up due to lactose sensitivity | 2016 |
| Pure Bliss by Similac Infant Formula | Formula starting with fresh milk from grass-fed cows that has no artificial growth hormones or antibiotics. | 2016-09-26 |
Toddlers
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Toddler Product | Product Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Go & Grow by Similac Sensitive | Suitable for children with lactose sensitivity | - |
| Go & Grow by Similac NON-GMO | A milk-based drink for toddlers 12–24 months old with no GMOs. | 2015 |
| Go & Grow by Similac Food Mix-Ins | Provides nutrients to support growth and development in a toddler's food. | 2016 |
| Pure Bliss by Similac Toddler Drink | Toddler drink starting with fresh milk from grass-fed cows that has no artificial growth hormones or antibiotics. | 2016-09-26 |
For Mothers
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Mother Product | Product Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Similac Breastfeeding Supplement | Breastfeeding supplements | 2014 |
| Similac Prenatal Vitamin | Prenatal vitamins | - |
Ingredients
Each formula contains various ingredients but most have OptiGRO,{{cite web|title=OptiGRO™ – Nutrition Beyond DHA Alone|url=https://similac.com/why-similac/optigro|website=Similac|accessdate=24 October 2016}} a mixture containing
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://similac.com}}
- [https://pureblissbaby.com/ Pure Bliss by Similac]
- Similac App
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110214140050/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/similac-baby-journal/id409894248?mt=8 Similac App (iOS)]
- [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abbott.babyjournal&hl=en_US Similac App (Android)]
- Abbott Properties
- [https://abbottnutrition.com/infant-and-new-mother#similac Similac Brands]
- [https://abbottstore.com/infant-and-child/similac.html Section on Abbott Store]