WASHINGTON – Abbott Nutrition has restarted production at the Michigan baby formula factory that has been closed for months due to a perceived contamination that was later determined not to be linked to four bacterial infections among infants and the death of two babies. All had consumed powdery formula from the plant.
The company said Saturday they’re taking a step toward easing a nationwide supply shortage that occurred after Biden’s FDA refused to reopen the plant even after tests revealed that the bacteria found in the babies was not found in the factory.
The factory was shut down in February and mothers were forced to drive for hours looking for formula, some had to visit food banks other searched for help from their doctors, all the while the Biden Administration stockpiled baby formula for illegal migrants being housed in Border Patrol facilities.
Abbott said it initially will prioritize production of its EleCare specialty formulas for infants with severe food allergies and digestive problems who have few other options for nutrition. The company said it will take about three weeks before new formula from the plant begins showing up on store shelves.
“We will ramp production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements,” Abbott said in a statement.
Abbott is one of just four companies that produce about 90% of U.S. formula. The company’s recalls and shutdown triggered a cascade of effects: Retailers have limited customer purchasing to conserve supplies and parents have been told to switch brands to whatever formula is in stock.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf recently told lawmakersit could be about two months before formula supplies return to normal levels.
