The Abbott Laboratories plant in Sturgis, Michigan that was forced to recall some types of formula in February over contamination concerns, sparking a shortage of the product, will have to shut down again temporarily, further delaying production.
Recent storms in the area caused flooding in some parts of the plant, forcing a pause in the production of EleCare specialty formula. The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the situation but wants to assure Americans that there is enough existing formula to go around until they can get the plant sanitized and back online.
While this is an unfortunate setback and a reminder that natural weather events can also cause unforeseen supply chain disruptions, I want to reassure consumers the all-of-government work to increase supply means we’ll have more than enough product to meet current demand.
— Dr. Robert M. Califf (@DrCaliff_FDA) June 16, 2022
Dr. Robert M. Califf did his best to soothe the concerns of already-frazzled parents who have had a difficult time finding food for their babies.
“Abbott has been exceeding the monthly quantity of formula that it produced in 2021 – all while the Sturgis facility is out of production. Other producers also continue to make formula at higher-than-average rates, and we continue to exercise flexibility to import add’l formula,” he tweeted.
This means that the total amount of formula available, even before the Sturgis plant is back in production, exceeds the demand for formula prior to the recall.
— Dr. Robert M. Califf (@DrCaliff_FDA) June 16, 2022
Twitter reacted with anger and frustration to the news, with many blaming the government for creating these issues:
This wouldn’t be an issue if the plant was never shut down in the first place. Govt doesn’t help with anything!
— John Tortorici (@JohnJTortorici) June 16, 2022
Thanks for creating this disaster fda 👍. You and @POTUS are killing it.
— moose (@moose27948262) June 16, 2022
Formula? How do you have time for that? Doesn’t Pfizer have some new product for you to force upon a terrorized population? Get to work pharma boy!
— Brian Warner (@BrianWa15996406) June 16, 2022
Have y’all considered not letting Abbott have a monopoly on baby formula?
— Jenny Pancakes (@SteampunkMuppet) June 16, 2022
it’s a reminder that we need more than one company with one factory making products as critical as EleCare. what are you doing to break up @AbbottNews monopoly of the baby formula market?
— mac jaehnert (@macjaeh) June 16, 2022
Then why is there still a shortage? Why do I see mothers on social media begging for formula? Smdh….
— Debbie (@IndianaGSM) June 16, 2022
False. The FDA is responsible for this shortage and you’ve changed nothing in regards to your ridiculous regulations to fix the mess that you created.
— Gil Johnson (@OrchestraRhhs) June 16, 2022
You don’t get the point. The point is is that your overall regulatory decision regarding this plant and others are suffering just like every other industry you regulate. It’s called slow walking bureaucratic constipation by lifelong government drones
— Leonardo Fantastico (@Leonfantastico1) June 16, 2022
Isn’t this the only facility that produces EleCare formula? How exactly is there enough product for babies that need EleCare, considering it’s out of stock? This is from right now, so either you are being dishonest or are not informed and are misinforming the public. pic.twitter.com/RUi4xGxUyZ
— BerdIsTheWerd (@BerdPerfect) June 16, 2022
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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