FOX business correspondent Lydia Hu and Mansion Global presenter Casey McDonnell, both of whom are expecting, are assessing the lack of baby formula and explaining their concerns.
Baby formula maker Abbott Laboratories resumed production Saturday at its Sturgis plant in Michigan, which closed since February.
Abbott said it will first produce EleCare and other special and metabolic formulas, which will be available to consumers as early as June 20. The company added that it will restart production of Similac and other formulas as soon as possible.
The company reached an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration following a voluntary withdrawal, which contributed to a shortage of baby formula across the country.
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Yuri Navas, 29, of Laurel, Maryland, kisses his two-month-old baby Jose Ismail Galves at the Superbest International Market in Laurel, Maryland, on Monday, May 23, 2022, while searching for formula. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin / AP Newsroom)
FILE PHOTO: The Abbott Laboratories facility, where dozens of withdrawn types of infant formula were made, halted production on site in Sturgess, Michigan, May 20, 2022. (REUTERS / Eric Cox / File Photo / Reuters Photos)
“We understand the urgent need for formula, and our top priority is to get a high-quality, safe formula in the hands of families across America,” said Abbott Labs. “We will increase production as quickly as possible, while meeting all requirements. We are committed to safety and quality and will do our utmost to regain the trust that parents, carers and healthcare providers have placed in us for 130 years. “
Ticker Security Last Change Change ABT ABBOTT LABORATORIES 116.57 -0.94 -0.80%
IN plant in Sturgess, Michigan was stopped in February and several brands of powder formula were withdrawn after four babies contracted bacterial infections, resulting in hospitalization and two deaths. Abbott denied that his plant was responsible for the infections, saying samples from sick babies did not match the strains of bacteria found in the plant.
Abbott failed to maintain sanitary conditions and procedures at the plant, according to findings released in March by federal safety inspectors.
Truck trailer in front of the Abbott Nutrition factory in Sturgis, Michigan, Thursday, May 19, 2022 (Matthew Hatcher / Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The FDA is monitoring why it took more than three months to bring the Michigan plant back online.
The Biden administration has turned to Europe and Mexico to import millions of pounds of baby formula to alleviate the shortage, which is expected to continue until the summer.
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American flag in front of the Abbott Nutrition factory in Sturgis, Michigan, Thursday, May 19, 2022 (Matthew Hatcher / Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Abbott does not maintain clean surfaces used in the manufacture and processing of the powder formula, according to FDA inspections. In addition, inspectors found a history of pollution with bacteriaknown as cronobacter, including eight cases between the fall of 2019 and February this year.
Robert Ford, Chief Executive Officer of Abbott Laboratoriesapologize for sharpening baby formula deficiency in the opinion of the Washington Post, after the withdrawal of the company’s products in February.
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“We regret every family we have disappointed since our voluntary withdrawal exacerbated the shortage of formula in our nation,” Ford wrote, stressing that he believed the withdrawal was the right thing to do.
Hannah Panrek and Paul Best of the Associated Press and Fox News contributed to this report.
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