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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Arrest Made In Fake Similac Case

Compiled From Wire Services

A man was arrested in an investigation of counterfeit Similac baby formula, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Ivy K. Ong, 52, of Mission Viejo, was arrested for investigation of trafficking in counterfeit goods, and a warrant was out for a second person, the FDA said Friday.

The FDA said consumers should not use the counterfeit product, which was still undergoing evaluation for safety and nutrition.

The fake Similac showed up on Safeway grocery store shelves in Northern California in January, packaged to resemble Similac powdered infant formula with iron in 16-ounce cans.

Consumers can tell the fake formula from the real thing by the counterfeit’s clear scoop and milky color. Similac is creamy yellow and has a green scoop.

The FDA said it believed all the bogus formula has been removed from stores.