Robert Ford Apologizes for Abbott’s Role in Baby Formula Shortage

Robert Ford, CEO of Abbott Laboratories apologized on Saturday for his company's role in the country's baby food shortage and vowed to increase production again in June. Ford explained why the company led to a voluntary recall of his baby formula and elaborated on the company's plans to prevent similar shortages in the future.

Mr. Ford further said that the decision exacerbated an existing baby formula shortage created by supply-chain issues during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In February, Abbott Laboratories voluntarily used some of the Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas produced at its Sturgis, Michigan facility after food and drug administration officials discovered a potentially deadly bacterium.

Four babies who drank contaminated baby food were hospitalized and two died. However, the FDA said the bacteria did not match the strains found at the Abbott facility. The shortage caused empty shelves in some stores, product restrictions, and panic among parents and caregivers looking for infant formula.

On Wednesday, President Biden launched a program called the Operation Fly Formula, which enacted the Defense Production Act to increase the production of powdered milk and bring foreign supplies to planes that meet US standards.