Abbott Laboratories has resumed production of its Similac infant formula at its Sturgis, Michigan plant, which is located in the heart of the US baby formula shortage.
Abbott, the largest supplier of baby formula in the United States, recalled Similac and other infant formula products made at the Michigan facility in February following reports of bacterial infections in babies who had consumed products made there.
According to federal data from 2020, the plant shutdown and subsequent product recall exacerbated a supply shortage in a country where less than half of babies are exclusively breast-fed for their first three months.
Abbott briefly reopened the Michigan plant early last month, but had to close it again after about two weeks due to flooding and heavy rains.
In a statement issued on Friday, Abbott stated that once Similac is in production, it will take approximately six weeks for the product to begin shipping to retail locations.
“We understand that the nationwide infant formula shortage has been difficult for the families we serve, and while restarting Similac production in Michigan is an important step, we will not rest until this product is back on the shelves,” Abbott CEO Robert Ford said in a statement.
After restarting production of EleCare and other specialty formulas last month, the company said in July that it expects to begin releasing it from its Sturgis plant.
In addition, if Similac is unavailable, Abbott will extend rebates offered on competing products until Oct. 31 for participants in the government’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in states where Abbott holds the contract.
(The story’s time frame in the eighth paragraph has been corrected to July from earlier this month.)
