A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate seeks to improve the safety of infant formula. Introduced by Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, and Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI, the bill also seeks to prevent infant formula shortages. The legislation is a reaction to a 2022 outbreak of cronobacter infections that sickened several… Continue Reading Food Policy & Law, Abbott Nutrition, cronobacter, infant formula, Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. John Hoeven Food Safety News
A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate seeks to improve the safety of infant formula.
Introduced by Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, and Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI, the bill also seeks to prevent infant formula shortages.
The legislation is a reaction to a 2022 outbreak of cronobacter infections that sickened several babies, killing two. The outbreak was traced to an Abbott Nutrition manufacturing plant that was later found to have had systemic contamination with the bacteria.
The company recalled Similac and other major brands of its infant formula, causing a nationwide shortage that left parents driving for hours to find formula for their babies.
The legislation would require formula manufacturers to test for cronobacter and salmonella, to notify the FDA of contamination within one business day, and require the FDA to monitor and report on in-stock rates of infant formula.
“Access to safe infant formula is essential for families across the U.S., and as shortages in recent years have demonstrated, improvements are needed to ensure our nation continues to have a secure supply of this important product. Our legislation would build greater resiliency into the infant formula market, helping to protect against contamination and bolstering supplies to prevent future shortages,” Sen. Hoeven said.
Sen. Peters released a similar statement.
“As a father and grandfather, I was devastated for the parents who lost their children. Parents deserve to know with complete confidence that the formula they are giving their babies is safe. I’m working to make sure something like that never, ever happens again. This commonsense bill would help intercept contaminated formula from reaching the shelves in the first place by allowing the FDA to have a hand in testing for dangerous bacteria. Doing so will help protect our children, but also prevent families from facing another nationwide shortage where folks were struggling to both find and afford infant formula,” Sen. Peters said.
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