Community Chat

[Mindy D]

This is the complete update. It includes information about the investigation. Abbot has been flying in formula from Ireland since February. None of the bacteria the babies fell ill from match any of the bacteria found in the plant. No bacteria was found in any of the formula tested from the plant. Abbott explains what they have done to prevent any future problems, including changing the flooring in the plant. Much more. The details count.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjEy7e24OH3AhX4kGoFHaYjB4MQ...

[PuppyLoverBob666]

I had a brush with Abbot, recently, in a test run for a pain-treatment system. It was a fiasco and they are nothing but a bunch of knuckleheads.

[Snowpuppy]

What I find a bit odd is this is a national news story, yet here in MI, good luck finding an article.

Their "FDA Registered" plant is not FDA inspected. Well, no matter. Sturgis and Columbus were inspected.

Wonder what the price hikes will be like?

[Porcelain]

Yuck. How disgusting. The workers didn't even wash their hands! While manufacturing easily-tainted formula powder for babies!

"A preliminary report released in March found traces of a bacteria — cronobacter— on several surfaces throughout the plant, though not in areas used to make the powder. Plant records showed Abbott had detected the bacteria eight times in its products or facility since 2019.

Inspectors also flagged other problems, including standing water on the floor and employees who didn't properly sanitize their hands.

WHAT IS CRONOBACTER?

The bacteria occurs naturally in soil, water and other parts of the environment. Infections with cronobacter are rare but can be fatal in babies. Almost all previous outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to powdered baby formulas, which don’t undergo the same high temperatures used to kill germs in many other foods.

Sometimes the bacteria can get into powdered formula after its opened at home if a dirty scoop is used or it is mixed with water that’s contaminated with the germ, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cronobacter typically causes fever in infants and can sometimes lead to dangerous blood infections or swelling of the brain.

The four reported illnesses were in Minnesota, Ohio and Texas between September and January."

This company should NOT have this much market share of the infant formula supply! A trustworthy company should be doing that. Multiple trustworthy companies.

Abbott clearly took advantage of threatening shortages to continue their lack of hygeine. All to increase their profits and buy back their stock.

[CelticCrafter]

This has pretty much been ignored the past 2 days even tho the shortage is still a thing. 

[Duckncover]

Abbott has a contract with the govt for its WIC program. Currently, there are four warehouses on the border stacked high with pallets of baby formula, diapers, wipes, etc. (our local news showed a video of it today) in anticipation of the lifting of Article 42.  So far, everyone has been blamed for the empty shelves...the FDA, Abbott, and Washington. Who is fixing this?