FAQ

Q: Where do I get ingredient and nutrition information about your products?

A: The product label has the most current product information. You can also visit the product web pages for detailed nutritional information on the products you're looking for.

Q: How do I get samples of your products for my patients to try?

A: If you would like to speak with an Abbott Nutrition sales representative, please contact us at (800) 551-5838. Let us know your area of specialization and the product you are inquiring about, and our product experts will be happy to assist you.

Q: Where can my patients buy your products?

A: Our infant formulas and many of our adult nutritional products can be found at our online store, Abbottstore.com, and many retail and grocery stores. Please use our Store Locator to identify stores in your area where you can purchase our products.

Q: How should your infant formulas be stored?

A: General Temperature Guidelines General recommended storage temperatures for our sealed infant formulas and pediatric nutritional products (PediaSure® and EleCare®) are between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The most desirable temperature range for storage of unopened containers is between 55 and 75 degrees F. Storage at these temperatures will assure the highest-quality product, both aesthetically and nutritionally. Unopened products should be stored in a cool, dry area (not in high humidity or wet areas). Excess humidity can cause container and packaging damage. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees F or to direct heat above 95 degrees F could affect the physical consistency of the product. While liquid products within sealed containers are sterile, a change in the consistency of the product could temporarily affect an infant's sensitive system. Therefore, we do not recommend use of product exposed to extreme temperatures.

Extreme Storage Conditions

Storage conditions can dramatically affect the quality of food products. Exposing foods to extreme temperatures can compromise the sensory characteristics (e.g., taste, color, aroma) and physical characteristics that make products pleasing and encourage consumption. The infant formula labels on Similac® products include the phrase "avoid extreme temperatures." Do not freeze formula products or store at greater than 95 degrees F. Excess temperatures, even for short time periods, can cause physical changes in the products, rendering them undesirable or unusable.

Additional Powder Storage Recommendations

Powdered formula should be used within one month from opening. Although the powders will not "spoil" from a microbiological perspective, some of the vitamins and fatty acids will degrade over time when exposed to oxygen. We recommend storing powder in a cool, dry area. Opened powder cans should be covered; they should not be stored in the refrigerator.

Usage Time Frames

Product Form/Container	Storage of Unopened Container	Storage of Opened, Recapped, or Covered Container	Storage of Prepared Formula in Bottles*
Plastic 32-fl-oz RTF Bottle ("aseptic")(except Alimentum?)	Store in cool, dry area; 55 to 75 degrees F is ideal.	Refrigerate for up to 72 hours.	Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
RTF Products (not in plastic bottle) and Any RTF Alimentum	Store in cool, dry area; 55 to 75 degrees F is ideal.	Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.	Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
Concentrated Liquid	Store in cool, dry area; 55 to 75 degrees F is ideal.	Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.	Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
Powder	Store in cool, dry area; 55 to 75 degrees F is ideal.	Store in cool, dry area (not in refrigerator) for up to one month.	Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

*In individual feeding bottles or in any container other than the original, purchased container

Product Form/Container	Storage of Opened (RTF) or Prepared Bottles Outside of the Refrigerator	Storage of Bottle After Feeding
All Product Forms	Prepared formula should not be left unrefrigerated. (If accidentally left at room temperature [< 90 degrees F], product should be discarded within two hours; if warmed [> 90 degrees F], product should be discarded within one hour).	Once feeding begins, product should be used or discarded within one hour; formula should not be refrigerated after heating or feeding.

Q: Why are the storage times so different for all of the different forms?

A: The storage times differ with the form (liquid or powder) of the starting product and the amount of manipulation or handling required to prepare the product (see table). Sterile, ready-to-feed formula is less likely to be contaminated by the preparer than is a product that requires more steps to make. In fact, studies with the large, plastic, reclosable bottle of formula show that it can be refrigerated for 72 hours (except Alimentum, 48 hours) after opening as long as the user carefully pours formula from the bottle and recloses the lid without touching the mouth of the bottle. Because we cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the consumer's baby bottles, we are more conservative with their recommended refrigerated storage times (48 hours).

Preparing concentrated liquid and powdered formula requires more steps and equipment than it takes to prepare ready-to-feed formula. Countertops, utensils, and human hands can potentially be contaminated with bacteria. (Remember that bacteria are so small they cannot be seen.) These bacteria could grow and potentially cause illness in the baby, especially if the prepared formula is held at room temperature or warmer. Refrigeration limits the growth of bacteria.

Powdered nutritional products are not sterile. Currently, it is not technically feasible to sterilize powders. Our manufacturing processes and testing programs minimize the potential bacterial count in powder. In the sealed can, the low moisture content prevents any bacteria from multiplying in the dry powder. Bacteria prefer a liquid environment to grow. Therefore, the "storage time clock" starts as soon as the powder is added to water. After preparation from powder, formula should be consumed immediately or refrigerated for up to 24 hours.