Abbott CEO apologizes for US baby formula shortage

WASHINGTON

The head of baby formula manufacturer Abbott apologized Saturday to US families affected by the shortage of the essential supply.    

“We’re sorry to every family we’ve let down since our voluntary recall exacerbated our nation’s baby formula shortage,” Abbott CEO Robert Ford wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post.    

Initially caused by supply chain blockages and a lack of production workers due to the pandemic, the shortage was exacerbated in February when, after the death of two infants, Abbott announced a “voluntary recall” for formula made at its factory in Michigan and shut down that location.    

“This is tragic and heartbreaking, and it is consuming my thoughts and those of my colleagues,” Ford wrote.    

He said Abbott will set up a $5 million fund for the families of children who were hospitalized after consuming the recalled formula.    

Ford also said the manufacturer was taking “serious steps” to alleviate the shortage, such as converting production lines for adult goods at its factory in Columbus, Ohio to “prioritize” making formula.    

Abbott is also importing formula from its factory in Ireland.    

The FDA reached an agreement last week with Abbott to resume production at its Michigan plant. The deal needs to be approved by a judge, and the factory should reopen within two weeks.     

The White House said on  May 18 that the U.S. government would fly in formula on commercial planes contracted by the military. Biden also invoked the Defense Production Act to give baby formula manufacturers first priority in supplies.