Production of Elecare began after a July 1 reboot; additional formula will be produced soon<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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MONDAY, July 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Abbott Inc. has announced that it has resumed production at its infant formula plant, following a February shutdown over contamination concerns that triggered a months-long shortage of infant formula.<\/p>\n
The Sturgis, Michigan, factory had restarted production earlier this summer, but had to close once again in mid-June because of damage from severe thunderstorms. Production of Elecare, a specialty formula for infants with severe food allergies, began after a July 1 reboot, according to the company.<\/p>\n
Additional formula will be produced soon, Abbott spokesman John Koval told the Associated Press<\/em>. “We are working to restart Similac production as soon as we can. We’ll provide more information when we have it,” Koval added.<\/p>\n Production first resumed in June with additional safety protocols after U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors closed it in February. The investigation had uncovered bacterial contamination, a leaky roof, and lax safety. The findings were discovered after the FDA began investigating bacterial infections among four infants who consumed baby formula. Two of the babies died, the AP<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Abbott has said its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which it noted involved different bacterial strains, according to the AP<\/em>.<\/p>\n