The baby milk shortage in the United States should be partially remedied later this month as an Abbott Nutrition factory is recommissioned. The closure of the factory in February created an acute shortage of baby milk powder in the US.
Abbott said on Saturday that the large Sturgis factory in the state of Michigan can be restarted. The factory had to close after the death of two babies who contracted a bacterial infection after drinking the baby food.
The company denies that the deaths of the babies are related to the products. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found a number of violations during an inspection, including bacterial contamination, a leaking roof and lax safety procedures.
40 percent market share
Abbott Nutrition clarifies that the factory has now met all the requirements of the FDA. The company represents 40 percent of the US baby milk market. The shortage was greatest for children with allergies, who depended on specialized baby milk.
“We understand the urgent need for baby milk. Providing safe, high-quality milk to families in the United States is our number one priority,” the company said in a statement.
In addition to the closure of the factory, supply problems had also arisen due to the corona crisis. To solve the historic shortage of baby milk, US President Joe Biden even activated a war law. Tons of baby milk from abroad were brought in via an airlift.
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