Baby Formula Plant That Shut Down and Fueled Crisis Restarts Production

Abbott Nutrition said on Saturday that the site resumed production of EleCare and other infant formulas, saying it helped a national shortage of infant formula when it closed a major production plant in February due to pollution concerns.

The reopening of the Sturgis, Mississippi plant, as a result of an agreement with the Federal Food and Drug Administration, renewed hopes of alleviating the milk powder shortage that caused stressful parents’ scrambling.

Out-of-stock rate soared to about 74% According to Datasembly, which tracks retail data, in stores nationwide as of the week leading up to May 28. The crisis, which occurred over months and was caused by a pandemic supply problem, was exacerbated by the closure of the factory.

Abbott said in a statement that EleCare was released to consumers around June 20th and that resuming production of Similac and other formulas is “working hard.”

“We understand the urgent need for formulas, and our top priority is to bring high-quality, safe formulas to families across the United States,” the company said. “Increase production as soon as possible while meeting all requirements.”

In February, Abbott announced that it would voluntarily collect three types of infant formula after four infants fed milk powder produced at the Sturges plant had a bacterial infection.

The FDA has received complaints from three consumers about Cronobacter Sakazaki, a bacterium that can cause severe life-threatening infections or inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine. Abbott states that there was no “conclusive evidence” linking the company’s formula to illness.

Last month, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. Robert M. Califf, cracked a house panel in a production facility that leaked the roof of the Sturges plant, pooled water on the floor, and allowed bacteria to invade and survive. Said that.

He elaborated on the “terrible unsanitary” condition, but his agency also admitted that it was too late to deal with the problem at the factory.

In a statement on Saturday, the FDA said it had stationed investigators at the Sturgis plant for several days to observe improvements in the facility’s floors, roofs and equipment. Abbott reported that the facility tested negative for Cronobacter, officials said.

A Consent decree signed by the company with the government Offers a range of new safeguards, including hiring qualified specialists to oversee plant improvements and notifying the FDA if contamination is found.

On Saturday, the agency said the steps it took and the reopening of the Sturgis factory “meaning that more and more infant formulas are heading to the store shelves or are already on the way.” ..

The closure of the factory exacerbated the existing supply crisis, as parents rushed to stock up on prescriptions and sometimes drove for hours as networks were formed on social media, leading to reduced supply.

Despite the fact that store shelves are exposed in some areas, some parents recommend powdered milk or breast milk as an important source of nutrition from birth to the baby’s first birthday. I’m so desperate that I gave my baby oatmeal cereal and fruit juice powder.

In the short term, imports from Europe and elsewhere announced by the White House are expected to play a greater role in alleviating shortages than reopening the Sturges plant, Stephen A. Abrams, University. Austin’s Texas, a professor of pediatrics at Dell Medical College, said Saturday.

The reopening of the Abbott factory will be reassuring for parents of babies with severe allergies, as Elecare is directed at them, Dr. Abrams said.

“What most families face in grocery stores, that is, importing recipes from sources in the UK, Australia and Mexico, will have a far greater impact,” he said.