Asked aboutshortages of formulain aninterview onFace the NationSunday, Buttigieg, 40, said the issue is “very personal for us.”
PresidentJoe Bidenis taking steps to ameliorate effects of the shortage,the White House said Thursday, after Abbott Nutrition, the nation’s largest manufacturer of infant formula, recalled products made in a Michigan plant back in late February due to possiblecontamination of cronobacter and salmonella.
Chasten (left) and Pete Buttigieg and their kids.Pete Buttigieg/Twitter
Sec. Buttigieg said the administration’s efforts to “rebalance the availability of formula” began right away but he placed blame for the shortage on Abbott Nutrition, whose plant in Sturgis, Mich., was closed down.
Four companies make 90 percent of the formula sold in the U.S., Buttigieg said, adding that dependence on so few producers for essential products is something “we should probably take a look at.”
Abbott Nutritionreleased a statement Friday, outlining steps it has taken since February to “get as much product into the hands of parents as we can.”
“We understand the situation is urgent — getting Sturgis up and running will help alleviate this shortage,” the company said. “Subject to FDA approval, we could restart the site within two weeks.”
Buttigieg said safely restarting production at the plant is the most important next step in solving the shortage.
“That’s the work that’s going on between the company and the FDA,” he said. “It’s got to be safe and it’s got to be up and running as soon as possible.”
source: people.com
