In a step toward resolving the baby formula shortage that has been worrying parents across the U.S., Abbott Nutrition and the FDA have come to an agreement that will allow the baby formula company to fix safety issues in its Sturgis, Michigan factory, allowing production to resume after a three-month hiatus, according to The Washington Post.
Due to COVID-19-related buying of baby formula, stringent foreign trade policies barring international purchases of many formula products, and life-threatening bacteria causing recalls at major facilities, the domestic stock of baby formula has plummeted, causing concern for new parents requiring the product, reports The Atlantic.
“Today’s action means that Abbott Nutrition has agreed to address certain issues that the agency identified at their infant formula production facility in Michigan. The public should rest assured that the agency will do everything possible to continue ensuring that infant and other specialty formulas produced by the company meet the FDA’s safety and quality standards,” Robert M. Califf, FDA Commissioner, said in a statement, issued Monday.
According to the agreement, Abbott is allowed to resume operation with the oversight of an independent third party of inspectors to ensure the recall related issues do not reoccur.
Four companies are responsible for roughly 90 percent of infant formula supply in the U.S., including Abbott. As a result, the Sturgis facility problem has compelled Abbott to prioritize production at its other plants and import product from its facility in Ireland.
Although full-capacity production will resume soon, Abbott warns that it will take months for the formula to return to shelves. Full Story
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