Abbott Nutrition Begins to Produce Baby Formula Again at Reopened Michigan Plant

There may finally be a light at the end of the tunnel for the baby formula crisis that has been making headlines in recent weeks.

Abbott Nutrition has resumed baby formula production at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant, in a move to address a nationwide shortage.

The largest baby formula manufacturer in the U.S. announced this month that it will restart the production of EleCare, a formula for children with digestive issues, aiming for an initial product release around June 20th. The company is working to meet guidelines to resume production of Similac and other formulas as well.

The health care giant received a go ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after meeting “initial requirements” as part of a May 16 consent decree.

Abbott aims for an initial EleCare product release 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 high-quality, safe formula into the hands of families across America,” a spokesperson for Abbott said in a statement. “We will ramp production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements.”

Supply problems had begun early in the Covid-19 pandemic and issues worsened in part due to the February closure of the Michigan plant amid scrutiny over contamination.

The FDA had investigated after four infants were hospitalized with bacterial infections from drinking its powdered formula. Two of the babies died.
“The FDA is continuing to work diligently to ensure the safe resumption of production of infant formula at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility,” the FDA said in a statement.

“The agency expects that the measures and steps it is taking, and the potential for Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility, to safely resume production in the near-term, will mean more and more infant formula is either on the way to or already on store shelves moving forward,” the FDA added.
Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.