Shelves normally dedicated to baby food stand almost empty at a store in downtown Washington, DC on May 22, 2022.
Samuel Korum | AFP | Getty Images
Abbott Nutrition resumed baby formula production at its Sturgis, Michigan plant on Saturday to address a statewide shortage.
The company has received a green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after meeting “initial requirements” under a May 16 consent order.
The company said it will resume production of EleCare, a formula for children who have trouble digesting other products, along with other specialty and metabolic formulas.
Abbott is targeting an initial product release of EleCare around June 20 and is working to meet guidelines to resume production of Similac and other formulas.
“We understand the urgent need for formulas, and our top priority is to provide families across America with high-quality, safe formulas,” an Abbott spokesman said in a statement. “We will ramp up production as quickly as possible while meeting all requirements.”
While supply issues began early in the Covid-19 pandemic, problems worsened in part due to the Michigan plant closing in February pending contamination reviews.
The FDA investigation began after four infants were hospitalized with bacterial infections after drinking the powder formula. Two of the babies died.
“The FDA continues to work diligently to ensure the safe resumption of infant formula production at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility,” the FDA said in a statement.
“The agency expects that the actions and steps it is taking, and the potential for Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility to safely resume production in the near future, will mean that more and more infant formulas are either on the way or already on store shelves,” the FDA said.
Abbott Nutrition is the largest manufacturer of baby food in the United States