Abbott Factory Re-Opens and Restarts Baby Formula Production

The February shutdown of the largest formula factory in the country led to the supply problems that have forced some parents to seek formula from food banks, friends, and doctor’s offices. Now, Abbott Nutrition has restarted production at the Michigan baby formula factory which has been closed for months due to contamination, the company said Saturday, taking a step toward easing a nationwide supply shortage expected to persist into the summer.

Abbott said it initially will prioritize the 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 the new formula from the plant begins getting to consumers. “We will ramp production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements,” Abbott said in a statement.

Abbott closed the Sturgis, Michigan, factory in February after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula from the plant. Two of the babies died. The company continues to state that its products have not been directly linked to any of the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.

WATCH: @POTUS is taking critical action to tackle the baby formula shortage and has already

🍼Authorized the Defense Production Act to ramp up production
🍼Launched Operation Fly Formula to use military planes to import formula
🍼Expanded WIC Program sourcing to help families pic.twitter.com/oLzGyQabTB

— Building Back Together (@BuildingBack_US) June 2, 2022

FDA inspectors eventually uncovered a host of violations at the plant, including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof, and lax safety protocols. The FDA has faced intense scrutiny for taking months to close the plant and then negotiate its reopening. Agency leaders recently told Congress they had to enter a legally binding agreement with Abbott to assure all the problems were fixed.

Why is baby formula still out of stock? One big reason is a lack of competition in the industry.

Most of the country’s baby formula market is dominated by just four firms.

One company — Abbott Nutrition — has 40% of the market.

When I say monopolies are dangerous, this is why. pic.twitter.com/UaRXga3MJp

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— Robert Reich (@RBReich) June 1, 2022

The plant’s reopening is one of several federal actions that are expected to improve supplies in the weeks ahead. President Joe Biden’s administration has eased import rules for foreign manufacturers, airlifted formula from Europe, and invoked federal emergency rules to prioritize U.S. production.

I'm proud to say that because of Operation Fly Formula, high-quality formula is on the way to American shelves.

We've already conducted two flights with 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles of hypoallergenic formulas for children with severe allergies.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 3, 2022