Investigate the FDA and Abbott Nutrition's Deadly Infant Formula Recall

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Investigate the FDA and Abbott Nutrition's Deadly Infant Formula Recall

Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, FDA, Abbott Nutrition

Reporting by Politico tells a shocking story of at least five infants who were hospitalized and two more who died after consuming formula manufactured by Abbott Nutrition under the brand names Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. The products were eventually recalled months later, but parents, consumer advocates, and health policy experts are demanding answers about why it took the FDA and Abbott Nutrition so long to act.

Sign the petition to demand the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into how these tragedies occurred and steps that will be taken for accountability.

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To: Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, FDA, Abbott Nutrition
From: [Your Name]

Abbott Nutrition started recalling Similac (a major supplier to the WIC program), Alimentum, and EleCare infant formulas on February 17, 2022 after numerous reports of infants becoming sick and dying after consuming its products dating back as early as September 2021.

The news outlet Politico said that the products which were manufactured at a facility in Sturgis, Michigan and include at least four cases of Cronobacter and one of Salmonella Newport. The publication “has repeatedly asked the FDA to explain why there was a monthslong lag between illnesses being reported, an inspection and then ultimately pulling products off the market. The agency has repeatedly declined to do so.”

Abbott Nutrition has expressed concern, but has no answers even though their facility was shown to have Cronobacter bacteria. As the CDC states: “Cronobacter germs can cause a dangerous blood infection (sepsis) or make the linings surrounding the brain and spinal cord swell (meningitis). Infants 2 months of age and younger are most likely to develop meningitis if they get sick from Cronobacter. Other infants more likely to get sick are those born prematurely and those less able to fight germs and sickness because of illness or medical treatment, such as infants receiving chemotherapy for cancer.”

Experts at the Center for Science in the Public Interest say “Abbott and the FDA have failed to clearly communicate to consumers which products are covered by the recall and which are not.”

Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Sen. Patty Murray, and Sen. Bob Casey there’s now pressure on the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate what the FDA and Abbott knew and what took so long to recall the products while children were getting sick and dying.

Reporters continue to find stories from parents concerned about possible exposure and harm caused to their infants. It’s unacceptable that the FDA and Abbott Nutrition have so much to answer for—please support an investigation into this tragedy.