1674380432 DOJ Investigates Behavior at Abbott Infant Formula Facility

DOJ Investigates Behavior at Abbott Infant Formula Facility

The Justice Department is investigating behavior at Abbott Laboratories’ infant formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan, in connection with a contamination investigation that shut down the plant last year, a source familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The plant’s months-long shutdown amid an investigation helped spark a statewide formula shortage.

A spokesman for Abbott told ABC News, “The DOJ has notified us of its investigation and we are fully cooperating.”

The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PHOTO: In this file photo dated May 12, 2022, a member of the House of Representatives holds a can of Similac baby formula during a news conference on the baby formula shortage outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC

In this May 12, 2022 file photo, a member of the House of Representatives holds a can of Similac baby formula during a news conference on the baby formula shortage outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC

Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

The DOJ’s Consumer Protection Division is conducting the criminal investigation, the source said.

The discovery of Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria at Abbott’s Sturgis facility led to a massive voluntary infant formula recall in February after four babies who ate Abbott’s infant formula contracted Cronobacter infections.

PHOTO: A truck trailer is shown in front of the Abbott Nutrition factory in Sturgis, Michigan in this file photo dated May 19, 2022.

A truck trailer is seen in front of Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan factory in this file photo dated May 19, 2022.

Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

Two of the infants later died, although Abbott claims there is no conclusive evidence that his formula caused the infant diseases because neither of the Cronobacter strains found in their facility matched the two genetically sequenced samples from the diseased infants.

Food and Drug Administration officials said the investigation is ongoing.

Ultimately, it was the combined findings of Cronobacter at Abbott’s plant — along with a pattern of serious operational shortcomings and consumer complaints — that led to the plant’s closure.

The plant reopened in June and resumed production of its largest formula, Similac, in August.