USA- Abbott Laboratories has announced that it intends to start shipping its Similac baby formula to retail outlets in about six weeks.
The pharma intends to alleviate the shortfall that was causing parents all around the country to scramble to feed their infants by ramping up manufacturing of the formula at the plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
EleCare and other specialty formulae, but not Similac, had already resumed manufacturing earlier this summer at Abbott.
“We know that the nationwide infant formula shortage has been difficult for the families we serve, and while restarting Similac production in Michigan is an important milestone, we won’t rest until this product is back on shelves,” Abbott Chairman and CEO Robert B. Ford said.
The factory shut down in February after the Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to use particular batches of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare manufactured at the Sturgis plant.
The factory shut down in February after the Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to use particular batches of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare manufactured at the Sturgis plant.
According to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cronobacter sakazakii was the cause of the infections.
It was discovered in ambient samples and two completed Similac products during an examination.
Four newborns who consumed the formula developed bacterial illnesses, and at least two of them passed away.
According to Abbott, there wasn’t “conclusive evidence” connecting the illnesses to the company’s formula.
Families were forced to scramble due to the widespread shortage of infant formula brought on by the voluntary recall and shutdown.
A pandemic supply chain interruption that hindered the shipment of goods to merchants coincided with the scarcity.
The government of President Joe Biden responded to the shortfall of infant formula by utilizing military planes to transport it from abroad and by invoking the Defense Production Act to give priority to its development.
With the assistance of low federal enforcement surrounding such importation, manufacturers began using facilities outside of the United States. Abbott employed facilities in Spain and Ireland.
Robert said in a statement that making infant formula is a responsibility they take very seriously, and parents can feel confident in the quality and safety of Similac and other Abbott formulas.
He noted that they are committed to re-earning the trust parents and healthcare providers have placed in us for decades.
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