Federal inspectors spotted the potential for baby formula made at an Abbott Laboratories plant to become contaminated months before a recall that exacerbated a nationwide shortage, a government document shows.
The Food and Drug Administration report adds a new twist to the widening gap between supply and demand for formula since Abbott recalled Similac and other top-selling brands in February, alarming parents and stoking lawmakers’ concerns. Federal officials have investigated the cases of four babies who fell ill — including two who died — from cronobacter after ingesting formula made at Abbott’s Sturgis plant.
U.S. officials are putting increasing focus on the crisis. The White House has tried to reassure parents that supplies will be replenished, and President Joe Biden met Thursday with manufacturers and retailers to find ways to increase supply. Abbott said this week that it could restart production in coming weeks and get formula back on shelves within two months, pending clearance from the FDA.
