According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Abbott baby formula manufacturing facility in Michigan, which has been closed since February, is “likely” to resume operations in two weeks.
Under fire from parents and politicians, President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to announce an agreement on Monday to reopen the nation’s largest infant formula manufacturing plant, as well as facilitate import rules to allow supply from abroad, in the midst of a national shortage.
A consent decree between Abbott and the FDA that paves the way for the reopening of the plant is “approaching,” said Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council.
Lawmakers are looking to take action on the supply of infant formula
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On Monday, FDA chief Dr. Robert Califf told “Today” that his department has been working closely with Abbott, who on Friday said the plant would be back in operation in two weeks, subject to approval by the FDA.
“I’m very comfortable with what they said about two weeks ago,” Dr. Califf told presenter Savannah Guthrie.
“This is entirely within the realm of possibilities and in fact I think it is very likely,” he added about the timeline proposed by Abbott.
Califf said the FDA would investigate the plant to make sure it is free of contamination and that the formula produced at the facility contains all the ingredients that make it suitable. breast milk substitute.
He also dismissed the allegations that the national shortage of infant formulawhich has worsened in recent weeks, could last until the end of the year.
“We do not expect it to last until the end of the year in any way. We are taking a number of measures, such as getting all manufacturers to increase,” he said.
He added that the FDA will release more details on the “way forward” at the end of Monday.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report
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