Michigan baby formula maker resumes production after safety shutdown

theguardian.com:

The baby formula manufacturer Abbott announced that it would resume production at a key Sturgis, Michigan, plant on Saturday, months after a shutdown at the facility spurred a nationwide shortage. The company in February recalled baby formula made at that plant, after four infants who consumed products from there developed bacterial infections, with two of the babies dying.

Food and Drug Administration officials said they had encountered Cronobacter sakazakii bacterium at this plant. FDA and Centers for Disease Control testing determined the genetic sequence of these Cronobacter did not match that of bacterium in these infants – meaning they did not find a connection to Sturgis, CNN reported.

In May, a federal judge green-lighted an agreement between Abbott and federal officials that paved the way for production to resume at its Sturgis plant; the deal included a requirement that the company clean and sanitize the facility. Abbott said none of its baby formula that was distributed to consumers returned positive for Cronobacter or salmonella tests, per CNN.

“We understand the urgent need for formula and our top priority is getting high-quality, safe formula into the hands of families across America,” Abbott said in announcing production at Sturgis. “We will ramp production up as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements.

“We’re committed to safety and quality and will do everything we can to re-earn the trust parents, caregivers and health care providers have placed in us for 130 years.”

Abbott said it’s starting to make Elecare “and other specialty and metabolic formulas”. Elecare is expected to be distributed to consumers about 20 June.

“We’re also working hard to fulfill the steps necessary to restart production of