DeLauro Statement on Infant Formula Makers Product Contamination, Operational Failings

Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released a statement in response to an ABC News report finding failures that triggered the shutdown of the Abbott infant formula manufacturing plant in Sturgis, MI exist across the industry.

"I am appalled by the recent report showing that operational deficiencies that triggered the massive shutdown of Abbott Nutrition's plant, a driving factor behind the current shortage, exist across the industry. I call on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately act and appoint an empowered Deputy Commissioner for Foods, with relevant background in food safety, to immediately take the reins of the FDA's food program. This is a decision that can be made today that will better food safety in the long run.

"Infant formula should meet the strictest standards of safety. This is a product we give to our babies. It does not need to be said how important and how vulnerable this group is. Families have already been devastated by at least 3 deaths linked to Abbott's contaminated formula, and several seriously sick babies. Now we know the failures that existed in this plant, that led to a shortage, illness, and death are endemic in the industry.

"Nearly a decades-worth of Food and Drug Administration inspections highlight these failures, with Cronobacter sakazakii in critical and high-hygiene areas in several manufacturer plants. I am disappointed that the FDA did not engage in more rigorous oversight to disrupt these contaminations and ensure that manufacturers adhered to the strictest safest standards when it came to a product we gave to our babies.

"The FDA has recognized these failures, but I am concerned that their supposed 'external' investigation by the Regan-Udall Foundation will preserve the status quo and do nothing to better food safety at the agency.

"Four companies control nearly 90% of the domestic formula market. These companies have the revenues to ensure that the facilities they are manufacturing their infant formula product is safe. Yet, in inspection reports we continually see roof and wall leaks, condensation, and cracks in key equipment. Why are these companies letting these harmful infrastructure issues persist? To me, they are putting profits over people. It should not take a recall to act.

"Corporate monopolies across the United States are outsizing their market power, putting a constraint on supply chains, and raising costs on Americans in the name of 'inflation' - all while they reap massive profits. In the coming months I will be introducing legislation to address market consolidation within the infant formula industry. We cannot allow this to happen again."

Chair DeLauro has been closely tracking this issue since Abbott Nutrition first announced the formula recall which has driven the nationwide shortage. She examined the recall at a hearingand submitted for the record a reportacquired from a whistleblower who worked at the Abbott facility which produces infant formula recalled in February. She also requested investigationsinto the FDA's handling of the Abbott powdered formula recall. Those investigations were announcedin June.

In May, DeLauro introduce the Keep Infant Formula Safe and on the Shelves Actto increase inspection frequency and reporting for infant formula manufacturing facilities, build a supply infrastructure to ensure we have safe infant formula readily available, and work to make Cronobacter sakazakii a reportable disease.

In July, DeLauro introduced the Food Safety Administration Actwith Senator Dick Durbin to establish a single food safety agency, the Food Safety Administration.

She also calledon American families to send her office photos of the infant formula shelves in their community so lawmakers can know which communities are experiencing the most need. Photos can be e-mailed to [email protected].

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