Healthcare company Abbott Laboratories is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over issues at its Michigan baby formula plant that led to lingering nationwide shortages throughout 2022, the company confirmed Friday.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news of the investigation, and the probe into the company was confirmed later that day by an Abbott spokesperson.
"DOJ has informed us of its investigation and we're cooperating fully," the spokesperson said. The specifics of the investigation remain unclear, though people familiar with the matter told the Journal that the DOJ's consumer-protection branch was helming the probe.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The investigation comes almost one year after Abbott shut down its infant formula manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan, after four babies became sick with bacterial infections after consuming the products.
Two of these babies would eventually die from the infections.
The shutdown ultimately triggered a massive recall, and it was alleged by company whistleblowers that Abbott had covered up food safety violations from the FDA prior to the plant's shuttering.
Politico reported that the Sturgis plant produced one-fifth of the nation's supply of baby formula. Its closure led to crippling shortages in the industry that became problematic for President Biden as his administration tackled rising inflation and supply chain crises throughout 2022.
The plant was reopened over the summer following an agreement between Abbott and the FDA, though it took another eight to ten weeks for formula to start hitting the shelves again.
The DOJ has not commented on the investigation. However, the announcement of the probe comes just a few weeks after Abbott reached a deal with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) to build a $536 million plant for manufacturing metabolic formula.
-
The IDF's manpower problemThe Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 AugustQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
A new subtype of diabetes was found and it may require different treatmentUnder the radar It is prevalent in Black Africans and Americans
-
Texas declares end to measles outbreakSpeed Read The vaccine-preventable disease is still spreading in neighboring states, Mexico and Canada
-
RFK Jr. shuts down mRNA vaccine funding at agencySpeed Read The decision canceled or modified 22 projects, primarily for work on vaccines and therapeutics for respiratory viruses
-
Food may contribute more to obesity than exerciseUnder the radar The devil's in the diet
-
Scientists are developing artificial blood for use in emergenciesUnder the radar It could aid in global blood shortages
-
Babies born using 3 people's DNA lack hereditary diseaseUnder the Radar The method could eliminate mutations for future generations
-
Measles cases surge to 33-year highSpeed Read The infection was declared eliminated from the US in 2000 but has seen a resurgence amid vaccine hesitancy
-
Is that the buzzing sound of climate change worsening sleep apnea?Under the radar Catching diseases, not those ever-essential Zzs
