Abbott Infant Formula Plant Closed Again After Flooding

THURSDAY, June 16, 2022 (HealthDay News) — EleCare specialty infant formula production at the Abbott Michigan plant has been halted after severe storms triggered flooding in the plant. The closure comes less than two weeks after the factory resumed production following a months-long shutdown that fueled a national formula shortage.

As a result of the flooding, “Abbott has stopped production of its EleCare specialty formula that was underway to assess damage caused by the storm and clean and re-sanitize the plant. We have informed [the U.S. Food and Drug Administration] and will conduct comprehensive testing in conjunction with the independent third party to ensure the plant is safe to resume production. This will likely delay production and distribution of new product for a few weeks,” the company said in a statement issued Wednesday night.

After the plant is resanitized, Abbott said it will resume making EleCare, followed by specialty and metabolic formulas, and will “work to restart Similac production at the plant as soon as possible.” Abbott added that it has “ample existing supply of EleCare and most of its specialty and metabolic formulas” to meet consumer demand until new products are available.

“We know Abbott is working quickly to assess the damage and will be reporting its progress to us in the days ahead. Once the company establishes a plan, FDA will be back in the facility working to ensure that they can restart producing safe and quality formula products quickly,” Robert Califf, M.D., FDA commissioner, said in tweets Wednesday night.

Califf called the latest closure an “unfortunate setback and a reminder that natural weather events can also cause unforeseen supply chain disruptions.”