January 22, 2023 – The company at the middle of last 12 months’s baby formula recall is under criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Abbott Laboratories, which produces 90% of U.S. baby formula, is currently under investigation by federal prosecutors specializing in enforcing consumer protection laws. The Wall Street Journal.
Abbott produces popular infant formula brands including Similac, Alimentum and Elecare.
The company confirmed the investigation but didn't provide details, based on several media outlets. The Justice Department declined to comment. NBC News reported.
In February 2022, Abbott voluntarily closed its plant in Sturgis, Michigan. Infants who consumed infant formula made on the plant became sick and the FDA found the deadly bacteria Cronobacter there. Baby formula produced on the factory was recalled and the factory's closure led to a catastrophic nationwide shortage of baby formula. The factory has since reopened.
In an earlier opinionThe company said neither Abbott nor federal officials had “found a clear link between the company's products and illnesses in children.”Cronobacter Infection could cause sepsis and meningitis and could be fatal in infants who CDC says. CDC and FDA investigations linked two deaths to the outbreak.