FDA Strikes Major Deal – Too Little, Too Late?
(ConservativeHub.com) – A baby formula shortage has parents nationwide finding bare shelves and unavailable products no matter where they shop. A February recall of Abbott Laboratories products aggravated this problem. But, on May 16, the company released a statement revealing it’s on its way to reopening its plant in Sturgis, Michigan, after reaching an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the statement, the FDA and the company agreed to specific steps to safely reopen the facility. A court has yet to approve this agreement, but Abbott says it will restart production within two weeks upon approval. Still, it will take the factory up to eight weeks to get products back on the shelves for consumers.
Abbott Labs, FDA reach deal on reopening shuttered baby formula factory https://t.co/vBQe42imjw pic.twitter.com/3cI8TZ6P6B
— New York Post (@nypost) May 16, 2022
Abbott produces some of the most purchased formula brands, including EleCare, Alimentum, and Similac. The company instituted a voluntary recall upon receiving reports of infants infected with Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella after consuming formula produced at the Sturgis, Michigan plant. The FDA reported that two infants may have died as a result. The CDC conducted an investigation and found no link between the formula and the illnesses, according to Abbott.
On May 10, Datasembly reported that 43% of infant formulas were out of stock in the US. In April, the rate was 30%, indicating the shortages continue to worsen. Consumers will likely welcome any influx of new products into the market, so the Abbott announcement may be the answer to parents’ prayers.
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