(Yicai Global) Feb. 22 -- China’s customs agency has warned consumers not to buy or use certain batches of baby formula and nutritional supplements made by Abbott Laboratories due to bacteria that can cause meningitis or sepsis.

The products in question are batches of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare that expire between April 1 this year and April 1 next year made by the US healthcare company's plant in Michigan, the General Administration of Customs said in a recent statement.

China has not imported the products via general trade channels but it has brought in Similac HMFortifi, a nutritional supplement for medical use, produced by the factory, the GAC added.

But consumers in the country may have access to them via cross-border e-commerce platforms.

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating four consumer complaints related to two foodborne pathogens, Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport, in infants who had consumed formula from some of the batches of concern, it said on Feb. 20.

Cronobacter sakazakii can cause severe infections, such as sepsis and meningitis, and lead to infant mortality of 40 percent to 50 percent, according to public information. Chinese law does not allow tests for Salmonella in infant formula.

Abbott's Chinese arm will conduct a voluntary recall regarding a batch of Similac HMFortifi, expiring between April 1 this year and April 1 next year, it said on Feb. 18. Online marketplaces Taobao and Tmall have already stopped selling the product.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi