On February 17, 2022, a recall of baby formula was made, and it’s still affecting parents and children everywhere. An outbreak of bacterial infections known as Cronobacter bacteria has hospitalized at least four babies with two deaths and has led to the closure of a major manufacturing plant operated by Abbott Nutrition in Sturgis, MI. The outbreak spurred the company to recall a number of infant formulas sold under the brands Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. Soon after those recalls, parents began reporting that they were having problems finding powdered infant formula. Numerous caregivers have traveled counties and even states desperate to find the formula needed. Some Walgreens and CVS stores have put a limit on how many containers of formula they’re able to purchase. Unfortunately, the shelves have been mostly bare.

However, as of yesterday, Abbott stated “Subject to FDA approval, we could restart the site within two weeks. We would begin production of EleCare, Alimentum, and metabolic formulas first and then begin production of Similac and other formulas. From the time we restart the site, it will take six to eight weeks before the product is available on shelves.”

Doctors advise you should not resort to cutting formula with water or trying to make your own formula at home because it can be very dangerous. The FDA says homemade formula may lack essential nutrients for infants, whose sole source of nutrition is often the formula.