Hopes US baby formula shortage could ease as key Abbott plant restarts

A key baby formula plant shut down by torrential rains last month has resumed operations, again spurring hope that the nationwide baby formula shortage could ease up.

But on 1 July, the plant had restarted production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe digestive problems and food allergies, Abbott spokesman John Koval told the Associated Press on Saturday.

The plant suspended production of Similac and other brands in February, when the FDA investigation found contamination in the wake of four bacterial infections among infants who were fed powdered formula from the facility. Two of the babies died.

The shutdown and an accompanying recall of several baby formula brands caused supply chain disruption resulting in a nationwide shortage.

But the catastrophic rains a couple of weeks later put a damper on those hopes.

About half the infants who receive Wic benefits get their formula from Abbott, one of just four companies that produces about 90% of US baby formula.