FMI – The Food Industry Association has welcomed the Biden administration’s announcement that an agreement has been reached with Abbott Nutrition to reopen its infant formula production facility in Sturgis, Michigan, following more than two months of suspended production and product recall.
However, FMI insists that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should also assure the public that infant formula manufactured at the facility meets current food safety regulations, including the Food Safety Modernization Act, and will be safe for consumption once production resumes.
“FMI is pleased that after nearly three months of investigating the Sturgis facility, FDA and Abbott Nutrition have reached an agreement to reopen the facility for production of much-needed infant formulas,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “However, we urge the agency to clearly reassure consumers that Abbott has taken appropriate steps to come into compliance with food safety regulations and resume safe production so that consumer confidence in the safety of its products can be rebuilt.”
Sarasin wrote in her statement that FMI “strongly encourage[s] the FDA to issue another public statement making clear that the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis is in compliance with federal food safety standards and regulations and that parents should be confident in feeding infant formula to their children.”
FMI believes that doing so will give consumers greater confidence regarding the safety of these products once production resumes. “We look forward to continuing to work with FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our industry partners to ensure these products are safe and back on the shelves as quickly as possible,” Sarasin said. “FMI members also need clear direction from FDA and Abbott via identifying marks or codes on the safe, newly produced infant formula containers.”
As the food industry association, FMI works with the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a range of members across the value chain to amplify the collective work of the industry.
For more information, visit FMI.org.
