Troubled MI Baby Formula Plant Likely To Reopen In 2 Weeks, FDA Says

MICHIGAN — A baby formula plant in western Michigan could reopen in two weeks, easing the nationwide baby formula shortage, according to the head of the Food and Drug Administration.

"We now have a path forward, so very soon you should hear an announcement about moving forward. And of course Abbott is responsible for the timeline, but I'm very comfortable with what they said about two weeks," Food and Drugs Commissioner Robert Califf said Monday on NBC's "Today Show."

The Abbott plant in Sturgis was shut down in February after it was linked to a rare bacterial infection that sickened four babies, two of which died. The plant didn't maintain clean surfaces used in producing and handling the powdered formula, according to the FDA inspection of the plant.

Additionally, inspectors found a history of contamination with the bacteria, known as cronobacter, including eight instances between fall 2019 and February of this year, federal officials said.

The Chicago-based retailer said a "thorough review of all available data" revealed no evidence linking Abbott formulas to the illnesses.

The plant's shutdown exacerbated a nationwide baby formula shortage, which saw out-of-stock rates rise from 28 percent last month to 34 percent in the first 10 days of May. Some of the hardest hit states were in the Midwest, including Iowa and Missouri.

"We always want to be as fast as we can possibly be, while also being diligent, remembering, as shown by this example, that if we do close a plant, then we have a supplier shortage," Califf said. "So we have to get this right."

Califf also said there will be a full investigation of the shutdown to prevent making the same mistakes that may have been made. The U.S. will host congressional hearings over the next few weeks. Califf was expected to testify in those hearings.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also released a statement Friday, saying she has spoken to Abbott officials and is working with them "to help get production back on track."

"I know how anxious parents must feel right now, and it’s crucial that they have confidence that a product is safe for their babies," Whitmer said. "I urge federal leaders to use every tool at their disposal to boost formula production."