FDA Officials Reveal Series of Failures That Led to Baby Formula Shortage

The baby formula shortage was made worse by the FDA's failure to act sooner, as government officials are set to testify at the hearing. The events leading up to the shortage were detailed in a background memo issued by the FDA.

There is a baby formula shortage in the U.S. and parents are having a hard time finding formula. The shortage was made worse after Abbott Nutrition recalled some of its products due to health safety concerns. According to the memo, the FDA did not issue a public warning against the risk of contamination until February of 2022.

The FDA did not interview the former Abbott employee who submitted the 34 page report until December, and did not hold an in-person inspection until January 31, 2022, according to a statement issued by CongresswomanRosa DeLauro. Cronobacterbacteria were found in five environmental samples after 24 visits to the Abbott plant by the FDA. By the time the FDA issued a warning, the plant had already voluntarily shut down.