Abbott baby formula plant expected to reopen in two weeks
CBSDec 22, 2021
The Facts
Abbott Nutrition, one of the largest baby formula manufacturers in the US, said on Mon. it had reached a deal with the FDA to reopen its Sturgis, Michigan, plant amid a nationwide shortage of infant formula.
Robert M. Califf, FDA Commissioner, also confirmed on Mon. that production at the facility could restart within two weeks, with the national shortage set to be resolved by the end of the year.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The Biden administration is making every effort to ensure there's an adequate supply of baby formula during this crisis which is hitting the most vulnerable hardest. The FDA is working with manufacturers to make a desperately needed supply available and to help mitigate the suffering of low-income Americans enduring this shortfall.
Narrative B
Despite the White House's proactivity on mitigating the formula shortage, the flexibility of the FDA and negotiations between officials and manufacturers are not providing immediate relief from the shortfall. Imported products could take weeks to hit the American market and the administrations website, supposedly designed to provide resources to families in need, is a totally ineffective platform.
Establishment-critical narrative
The formula shortage exemplifies the failures of US health and child care systems and its roots lie not only in short-term breakdowns, but in the concentration of industry power. Pres. Biden should be seeking to suspend tariffs, streamline approvals and invoke the Defense Production Act to force private industry to produce more formula and play their part in alleviating the crisis.
