STURGIS, Mich. — Similac infant formula could be back on store shelves within six weeks after Abbott Laboratories confirmed Friday it has restarted production of the in-demand formula at its plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
Abbott, the biggest U.S. supplier of baby formula, recalled Similac and other infant formula products produced at the Michigan facility in February after reports of bacterial infections in babies, two of whom died, who had consumed products manufactured there, Reuters reported.
“We know that the nationwide infant formula shortage has been difficult for the families we serve, and while restarting Similac production in Michigan is an important milestone, we won’t rest until this product is back on shelves,” Abbott Nutrition CEO Robert Ford stated in a news release issued Friday.
Although the Sturgis facility reopened briefly in June for production of EleCare specialty formula, severe weather that flooded portions of the plant forced its reclosure several weeks later. EleCare production resumed in Sturgis in July, Fox Business recorded.
According to the network, the out-of-stock rate for baby formula peaked at 43% in May, forcing stores to limit the amount consumers could purchase.
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