The company is planning to initially restart the manufacturing of EleCare, Alimentum and metabolic formulas, with plans to include Similac and other brands
Abbott headquarters. (Credit: Abbott)
Abbott Laboratories is planning to resume the production of certain infant formulas, at its plant in Sturgis, Michigan, US, within two weeks.
In February this year, the healthcare company voluntarily recalled some of its baby formulas, including certain Similac products after complaints related to bacterial infections.
According to Abbott, the evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii was found in the Sturgis facility’s non-product contact areas during the testing, but no evidence of Salmonella Newport was found.
Cronobacter sakazakii is a commonly found bacteria that causes fever, poor feeding, excessive crying or low energy along with other serious symptoms.
The company is planning to initially restart the manufacturing of EleCare, Alimentum and metabolic formulas, with plans to include Similac and other brands.
After the recall, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started investigating consumer complaints regarding infections, and the restart is subject to the FDA go-ahead.
Once resumed, it would require six to eight weeks for the product to reach the shelves, said Abbott.
Abbott is one of the large suppliers of milk formula in the US and the recall has led to a shortage of the products in the country, reported Reuters.
US-based retailers including Target Corp., CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance have limited purchases of infant formula due to a supply shortage.
The FDA is working with the baby formula manufacturers to mitigate the supply chain issues caused due to over production of the products by several companies, said the publication.