Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile10 entries
2022
Sturgis infant-formula contamination investigation and recall
The FDA investigated complaints involving infants who consumed powdered formula produced at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Michigan, plant. FDA investigators reported Cronobacter sakazakii in environmental samples, adverse inspection observations and company records concerning environmental contamination and product destruction. Abbott voluntarily recalled selected Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered formulas. The plant shutdown contributed to a severe United States infant-formula shortage and generated congressional, legal and regulatory scrutiny.
2022
Infant-formula supply shortage and government scrutiny
Because Abbott was one of the largest United States infant-formula suppliers, the Sturgis recall and production suspension had effects beyond the recalled products. The episode intensified scrutiny of industry concentration, WIC supply arrangements, production resilience, regulatory oversight and the company's crisis communications.
2022
Parent sues Abbott over alleged infant formula injuries
Lawsuit filed
A parent filed a complaint against Abbott Laboratories alleging that Abbott cow’s-milk-based formula and/or fortifier caused a premature infant to develop NEC and that the products were misleadingly marketed and inadequately warned about potential risks. These are allegations in the complaint, not a court determination.
Source excerpt
The counts against Abbott are strict liability, negligence and failure to warn.
A parent filed a complaint in the Northern District of Illinois against Abbott Laboratories for the alleged injuries suffered by the plaintiff’s premature infant after feeding the baby Abbott’s cow’s milk-based formula and/or fortifier.
According to Wednesday’s complaint, Abbott’s products “caused the injured infant to develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis (hereinafter ‘NEC’), a life-threatening and potentially deadly intestinal disease characterized by inflammation and injury of the gut wall barrier that may advance to necrosis and perforation of the gut.”
2022
Abbott recalls a lot of Similac PM 60/40 formula
Recall announced
Abbott Laboratories issued a second round of baby formula recalls on February 28, 2022, covering one lot of Similac PM 60/40. The article says the recall followed the company learning that an infant who consumed the formula had died after contracting a Cronobacter sakazakii infection; it does not establish that the formula caused the death.
Source excerpt
On February 28, 2022, Abbott Labs issued a second round of baby formula recalls.
Less than two weeks later, Abbott Laboratories learned that a baby died after contracting a Cronobacter sakazakii infection after the infant had consumed Similac PM 60/40, which was not included in the company’s initial recall.
This recall includes one lot of Similac PM 60/40 (Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot # 27032K800 (case)).
2022
Abbott recalls six lots of Similac Alimentum in Vietnam
Recall announced
Abbott Laboratories GmbH’s Hanoi representative office announced a voluntary recall in Vietnam of six lots of Similac Alimentum Eye-Q powdered infant formula because they potentially contained two kinds of dangerous bacteria. The article reports that 7,050 cartons had entered the market and that the importer notified customers about the recall.
Company response
Recall — Abbott
The representative office of Abbott Laboratories GmbH in Hanoi has announced a voluntary recall of six lots of Similac Alimentum Eye-Q products in Vietnam as they potentially contain two kinds of dangerous bacteria, Vietnam’s food safety authorities have reported.
Source excerpt
The representative office of Abbott Laboratories GmbH in Hanoi has announced a voluntary recall of six lots of Similac Alimentum Eye-Q products in Vietnam as they potentially contain two kinds of dangerous bacteria, Vietnam’s food safety authorities have reported.
A total of 11,320 cartons of Similac Alimentum Eye-Q, with six 400-gram cans per carton, has been imported into Vietnam by Ho Chi Minh City-based 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited.
The importer has sent a notice to its customers about the recall of this infant formula item in Vietnam.
2022
Abbott recalls three infant formula products
Recall announced
Abbott recalled three infant formula products after Cronobacter sakazakii was found in a non-product-contact area of a Michigan factory; the source says the products could pose a health risk to infants aged 0–6 months and that the investigation was ongoing.
Company response
Investigation — Abbott
但没有证据显示存在沙门氏菌，目前调查仍在进行中
Recall — Abbott
当地时间2月17日，雅培全球官网发布主动召回信息
Source excerpt
但没有证据显示存在沙门氏菌，目前调查仍在进行中。
此次召回的奶粉，在工厂的非产品接触区域发现了阪崎肠杆菌，对0至6月龄婴儿可能存在健康风险。
近日，雅培全球官网主动召回3款婴儿配方奶粉。
2022
Vietnam orders recall of certain Abbott formula products
Recall announced
Vietnam's Food Safety Authority issued a recall of certain potentially contaminated food products sold by Abbott after reports of contamination incidents in the U.S. The agency contacted importers and asked them to recall the products.
Company response
Recall — Abbott
In a Feb. 17 press release on Abbott's website, the firm has issued a recall for certain powder formulas including Similac, Alimentum and Elecare manufactured at a plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
Source excerpt
some children were infected with the Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella newport bacteria after consuming formula food products produced at a factory by Abbott Nutrition in the U.S.
The Vietnam Food Safety Authority has issued a recall of certain potentially contaminated food products sold by U.S. multinational Abbott after four contamination incidents in the U.S.
The Vietnamese agency has contacted the companies that imported the products and asked that they are recalled.
2022
Abbott recalls potentially affected powdered infant formulas
Recall announced
Abbott said it was recalling potentially affected products manufactured at its Sturgis, Michigan facility after reports of infant illnesses linked to bacterial contamination. The recall affected certain products with expiration dates of April 1, 2022, or later. Abbott expressed regret for the concern and inconvenience the situation would cause.
Company response
Apology — Abbott
We deeply regret the concern and inconvenience this situation will cause parents, caregivers and health care professionals.
Source excerpt
Abbott, one of the country's largest infant formula makers, said it is recalling all potentially affected products manufactured at the Sturgis, Michigan facility.
We deeply regret the concern and inconvenience this situation will cause parents, caregivers and health care professionals.
The recall affects certain products with expiration dates of April 1, 2022, or later.
2021
Abbott's Shanghai entity fined over advertising violations
Fine or penalty
The Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation fined Abbott Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. RMB 848,000 and ordered it to stop publishing advertisements for medical services, medicines and medical devices that violated regulations.
Source excerpt
近日，因违规发布医疗、药品、医疗器械广告，雅培贸易（上海）有限公司（以下简称“雅培”）被上海市市场监督管理局处以罚款84.8万元，并责令停止发布。
2021
Shanghai regulator fines Abbott trading subsidiary over contaminated food products
Fine or penalty
Shanghai's market regulator imposed an administrative penalty on Abbott Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., including a fine of 9,093,140.58 yuan, over the production and sale of food allegedly contaminated by packaging materials, containers, or transport tools.
Source excerpt
5月6日，上海市场监管局对雅培贸易(上海)有限公司作出行政处罚，处罚事由为“生产经营被包装材料、容器、运输工具等污染的食品、食品添加剂”，对其没收物品，没收违法所得343.740729万元，罚款909.314058万元。