Flooding Causes Baby Formula Plant In Sturgis to Stop Production

The baby formula shortage is real and just as production started in a plant in Sturgis, Michigan, severe storms and flooding has stopped production.

What Caused Baby Formula Shortage?

For the past few months, there has been a baby formula shortage. The shortage is mainly caused by pandemic-related supply chain issues.

Back in February, Abbott Laboratories that is located in Sturgis, Michigan closed one of its manufacturing facilities. The closer was due to a recall of infant formula products that allegedly happened after four babies taking the formula developed bacterial infections. Unfortunately, two of the babies died. This sparked a federal investigation. Abbott insists that there is no connection between the formula the company makes and the babies contracting bacterial infections.

Abbott Re-opens and Starts Baby Formula Production

Nearly four months after Abbott closed the baby formula plant in Sturgis, they reopened and began production on baby formula. Hundreds of workers were able to return to work. The plant was just six weeks away from returning to full capacity but was thrown a curve ball on Monday, June 13, when severe storms and flooding caused the plant to stop production again.

Abbott's Baby Formula Plant Temporarily Stops Production

WOOD-TV reported that Abbott announced the torrential storms produced significant rainfall in a short period of time that resulted in flooding in parts of Sturgis and areas of their plant.

What Baby Formula Products Does Abbotts Make?

Similac is one of their top products but it will be a while before the plant restarts production.

EleCare is another of Abbott's brands that will take weeks to get back into production as clean-up from the storm takes place. Then Abbott has to re-sanitize the plant and get it tested by a third party before getting back to safe production. There is one piece of good news, Abbott has a good existing supply of EleCare to meet demands until they are back up and running.