United States: Covid-19 and an industrial scandal cause an infant milk crisis

The Abbott Laboratories manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan September 23, 2010. The Food and Drug Administration began investigating the plant after Abbott recalled several leading infant formulas.

AP-Brandon Watson

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The United States has been experiencing a shortage of baby milk for several months, caused by supply and labor problems linked to Covid-19, and aggravated by the closure, in February, of a factory of the manufacturer Abbott in Michigan, for unsanitary conditions, which likely resulted in the deaths of two infants.

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The executive director of Abbott Nutrition was speaking yesterday before the US Congress at a hearing.

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,” he added.

The crisis is such that President Joe Biden announced last week the establishment of an airlift and the use of a law dating from the Cold War to notably import milk from abroad.

containing more than 31 tons of the precious beverage. 

The Sturgis plant is one of the largest infant formula plants in the United States, including specialty milks used for children with certain metabolic or allergic conditions.

"Bacterial Contamination"

It all started after the death of two infants, and a visit by the American drug agency the FDA to the Abbott factory in Michigan, one of the largest baby formula factories in the United States, the Inspection results were shocking, the FDA boss testified. 

He noted “

”, “

” or even the washing of the hands of employees leaving something to be desired. 

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" to childhood illnesses and deaths attributed to Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which was found in an area of ​​Abbott's Sturgis plant, yet said the leader of Abbott.

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