Abbott restarts production of specialty formulas at the Michigan plant
Abbott said it begins with the production of EleCare, an amino acid-based hypoallergenic product for babies who do not tolerate other formulas, as well as other special formulas. Abbott said the first batches of the Elecare product are expected to be available to consumers around June 20.
Similac and other products made at the factory will take longer to become available.
In May, a federal judge signed an agreement between the US Food and Drug Administration and Abbott setting out the steps the company would have to take to restart production.
“We understand the urgent need for formula, and our top priority is to get high-quality, safe formula in the hands of families across America,” Abbott said in a statement. “We want to step up production as fast as we can while meeting all requirements. We are committed to safety and quality and will do everything we can to regain the trust parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals have given us for 130 years.”
President Joe Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to inform suppliers of formula ingredients to prioritize delivery to formula producers. The administration also created Operation Fly Formula to import formula from abroad.
