Abbott Laboratories, FDA on track to reopen infant formula plant in two weeks

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Abbott Laboratories, FDA on track to reopen infant formula plant in two weeks

After baby formula shortages in the United States, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said Abbott Laboratories and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA are on track to reopen Abbott's baby formula manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan, within a couple of weeks.

Abbott, the largest supplier of powder infant formula in the U.S., and the FDA agreed on the steps needed to resume production at the plant.

I am pleased to say that we have already made significant progress, and I think we are on track to get it open in the next week to two weeks, most likely at the outer bound two weeks," Califf told a U.S. House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives panel.

After reports of infections in four infants, the company recalled infant formula products and closed the plant in February, worsening a shortage among multiple manufacturers.

The FDA, which launched its investigation after consumer complaints, has not yet concluded whether the cases of ill babies are related to the Abbott plant, Califf said.

After three days of working closely with the FDA, Abbott has remedied a number of issues.

The U.S. government tried to find a short-term solution to the problem after a country-wide formula shortage, which left parents scrambling to feed their babies.

President Joe Biden has called for the Defense Production Act to help manufacturers get ingredients to ramp up supply, and directed national agencies to use Defense Department-contracted commercial aircraft to bring formula into the U.S. from overseas.

The House passed two bills this week, including one providing $28 million in emergency FDA funds, which was supported by 219 Democrats and 12 Republicans and opposed by 192 Republicans.

The second bill aimed at making low-income families able to buy formula under a federal program for women, infants and children, known as WIC, passed 414 -- 9

Both bills are still before the Senate, and they will have a vote on them.