More bad luck for parents desperate for scarce baby formula: the Abbott Laboratories factory that triggered the nationwide shortages has closed again, less than two weeks after reopening, because of damage caused during a severe storm.
The Sturgis, Michigan plant had announced at the beginning of June it was finally resuming production. Abbott had issued a recall in February for several of their leading brands, including Similac, and the plant shut down after FDA inspections found multiple violations, including bacterial contamination, roof leaks, and poorly enforced safety protocols…………
……….According to the AP, the storm “brought high winds, hail and power failures” to Sturgis, and caused flooding in multiple areas of the plant, according to Abbott spokesman Jonathan Hamilton, who declined to give specifics about the damage.
“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,” said Abbott in a statement. “We have informed the FDA 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.”
R&I – FS
james blue