The Most Disturbing Outbreak In History Has Returned

Due to potential bacterial contamination, consumer goods giant Reckitt on Sunday issued a recall of baby formula products all across the U.S..

According to the manufacturer, two batches of the ProSobee Simply Plant-Based baby Formula could possibly have been contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria commonly found in powdered formulas that may be fatal to babies. Therefore, Reckitt will recall 145,000 cans that were produced in August and Sept. 2022 and then sent all over the US.

Reckitt stated in a statement, “We have taken this unusual action because we are devoted to the greatest level of quality and safety. Following a careful examination, we were able to pinpoint the underlying issue, which was related to content from a third party. We have implemented all necessary corrective measures, such as ceasing to purchase this material from this supplier. Infants’ health and safety are our top priorities.

The voluntary recall of multiple products was started by Abbott Nutrition about a year ago, when it temporarily closed a baby formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan. For parents and government representatives, the absence of EleCare, a formula for kids who can’t digest other foods, was particularly concerning. With “Operation Fly Formula,” the White House attempted to address the shortfall by having the military purchase infant formula from Europe.

The Abbott plant, which was shut down between February 2022 and June 2022, had standing water, roof leaks, bacterial growths, and poor hygiene when the FDA discovered them. According to reports, bacterial illnesses had an effect on a number of babies across the nation.

According to Rober Ford, CEO of Abbott Nutrition, “We feel that our voluntary recall was the correct thing to do. When it comes to children’s health, we won’t take any chances. Our products were not linked to any of the four reported illnesses in children, according to the investigation’s data, genetic sequencing, preserved product samples, and available product from the four complaints. The FDA inquiry did, however, find a germ in our facility that we would not allow.”

In July 2022, when out-of-stock rates exceeded 31%, baby formula shortages peaked, according to data from market research company IRI shared with USA Today. Despite this, supply chain constraints continued to affect the products’ availability; in November 2022, out-of-stock rates still reached 13%.

Lockdowns and public health regulations enforced by numerous governments worldwide encouraged erratic supply chain shocks, which fueled inflation in numerous nations. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of infant formula climbed by 15% between July 2021 and July 2022, although the category’s inflation rate stayed over 10% between Dec. 2021 and Dec. 2022.

Democratic politicians and officials claim that the inflationary pressures that have plagued the economy for the past two years are the result of corporate greed. At the height of the crisis, Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, urged baby formula manufacturers to “stop overcharging” for the restricted goods. She claimed in a news statement that it was “unconscionable that some merchants were profiting from the nationwide shortage of infant formula while parents were having trouble feeding their kids.”