Abbott Nutrition increases infant formula production to tackle US shortages

19 Apr 2022 --- Amid the supply chain crisis and infant formula shortages, Abbott Nutrition is upping its infant formula production, while working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reopen its factory in Sturgis, Michigan, US.

Currently, the US is facing an acute shortage of infant formula products, with companies rationing sales, as manufacturers are rushing to meet supply.

“We’re prioritizing the production of infant formula products across the US to assist the market supply. This year, we’ll more than triple the Similac Advance powder formula we import from our Cootehill, Ireland manufacturing site.”

Abbott Nutrition will prioritize infant formula production at its global facilities to tackle the supply issue, the company underscores.

Upping production to meet demand
In a bid to tackle shortages, Abbott Nutrition is air shipping products from its FDA-registered plant in Cootehill, Ireland where the company is increasing the volume of Similac Advance powder formula produced for the US.

Following its product recall, Abbott Nutrition states it will engage healthcare providers to discover suitable alternate formulas. “We’re air-shipping products from this facility into the US daily and the product is being restocked regularly.”

The company is also set to prioritize the production of other Abbott liquid products sunukar to Similac and Alimentum to increase the availability of ready-to-feed liquid formula.

Abbott Nutrition has also adjusted its Ohio, US-based production plant to focus on producing Similac Ready-to-Feed liquid formula, which can be used straight from the bottle.

According to the company: “We intend to generate roughly three times as much Similac Ready-to-Feed liquid formula in the second quarter of this year as we did in the same quarter last year. And this product will soon be accessible in stores and online.”

Reeling from product recalls
In February, Abbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered formulas manufactured at the Sturgis facility in Michigan following an FDA investigation of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections from consumption. 

An FDA inspection at the company facility in Sturgis, Michigan earlier this month found five environmental subsamples were positive for Cronobacter sakazakii. On-site investigations The company will work closely with the FDA to put corrective measures at the Sturgis plant.revealed damning observations, including the absence of a process control system that could ensure infant formula does not become adulterated.

The latest statement by Abbott Nutrition, outlines the company will continue to take steps to resolve this recall.

“We’re now examining the FDA’s observations from its inspection of our powder formula manufacturing in Sturgis, as detailed in its Form 483. We’re taking this very seriously, and we’re working together with the FDA to put corrective measures in place,” says Abbott Nutrition. 

According to the company, no traces of Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella were detected in consumer-tested goods. Furthermore, the Cronobacter sakazakii microorganisms detected in non-product contact locations at the Sturgis site had a genetic makeup that did not match the Cronobacter sakazakii microbes found in the reported cases.

Attempts at production remedies
At the Sturgis plant, Abbott aims to collaborate with industry experts to enhance its food manufacturing processes with recent technological advancements.

According to the company, these advancements include a 3D augmented reality system that will visualize the product more precisely as it moves through the facility. This will enhance the company’s ability to make informed decisions – including remotely – during the manufacturing process.

Abbott Nutrition will also increase the amount of testing on completed products and use auto sampling technologies across the manufacturing line to speed up the detection of any potential manufacturing faults.

By Nicole Kerr

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