The shelves normally reserved for baby formula are nearly empty at a store in downtown Washington, DC, on May 22, 2022.
Samuel Corum | AFP | beautiful pictures
Abbott Nutrition on Saturday resumed production of infant formula at its Sturgis, Michigan plant, a move toward addressing nationwide shortage.
The company was given the green light by the US Food and Drug Administration after meeting “initial requirements” as part of the May 16 decree consent.
The company said it will restart production of EleCare, a formula for children who have difficulty digesting other products, along with other special formulations and metabolisms.
Abbott aims to release the first EleCare product around June 20 and is working to meet guidelines to resume production of Similac and other formulas.
“We understand the urgent need for formula and our top priority is getting safe, high-quality formula into the hands of families across the United States,” an Abbott spokesperson said. “We will ramp up production as quickly as possible while meeting all requirements.”
While supply problems began early on during the Covid-19 pandemic, problems were made worse in part by the shutdown of the Michigan plant in February amid intense scrutiny over the coronavirus. polluted.
FDA investigations began after four infants were hospitalized with bacterial infections caused by drinking infant formula. Two of the infants died.
“The FDA is continuing to work diligently to ensure the safe continued production of infant formula at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility,” the FDA said in a statement.
“The agency hopes that the measures and steps it is taking, as well as the potential for Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility, to be able to safely resume production in the near-term, will mean the date of release. More infant formula is on the way or has been indicated by the FDA.
Abbott Nutrition is the largest manufacturer of infant formula in the United States
