Abbott Nutrition has stopped production of EleCare formula in its Sturgis, Michigan facility after severe storms led to flooding inside the plant, the company said. The unfortunate development would probably delay the production of new formula for a few weeks.
Production at the Michigan facility had restarted less than two weeks ago following a months-long closure that helped drive a formula shortage in the United States, according to CNN. Abbott said in a statement on Wednesday night that severe thunderstorms and heavy rains came through southwestern Michigan on Monday evening, resulting in high winds, hail, power outages, and flood damage throughout the area.
Abbott added that these torrential storms produced significant rainfall in a short time, overwhelming the city's stormwater system in Sturgis, Michigan, and resulting in flooding in parts of the city, including areas of their plant.
Abbott stops production of EleCare specialty formula
Abbott, as a result, has stopped production of its EleCare specialty formula that was underway to assess the damage caused by the storm and clean and re-sanitize the plant. They have informed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will conduct comprehensive testing in conjunction with an independent third party to ensure the plant is safe to resume production.
Abbott said that once the Sturgis plant is re-sanitized and production resumes, it will restart the production of EleCare, followed by specialty and metabolic formulas. The new formula being produced since the Michigan facility reopened was not yet available to consumers, and production had not started on popular brands available at grocery stores, according to the Guardian. Abbott added that it would work to restart the production of Similac at the plant as soon as possible.
U.S. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said in tweets on Wednesday night that they know Abbott is working quickly to assess the damage and will be reporting its progress to them in the days ahead.
Califf added that once the company establishes a plan, the FDA will be back in the facility working to ensure that they can quickly restart producing safe and quality formula products. He said in a Senate committee hearing on Thursday that it is too soon to estimate how long the new product from the plant will be delayed.
Closure due to flooding, the latest blow to Abbott
The Sturgis plant had been shut down for months after an FDA inspection found Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which can be deadly to infants, in several areas of the facility. EleCare, Similac, and Alimentum powdered infant formulas made at the plant were recalled, and the closure worsened shortages caused by supply chain disruptions.
Families across the country have struggled for months to find formula for babies, infants, and people with specific nutrition needs. Califf said last month that the shuttered Michigan facility needed extensive repairs, including replacing the floors and roof.
A federal judge signed off on an agreement between the FDA and Abbott in May that laid out the steps the company needed to take to restart production. The Michigan plant reopened on June 4, according to the NPR.
