FDA lays out plan to fight bacterial illnesses caused by baby formula

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The FDA is working on a plan to fight bacterial illnesses caused by contaminated baby formula.

The agency wants a bacterial infection called Cronobacter added to the CDC’s list of reportable diseases.

That would require doctors to notify public health officials of any cases they see.

Four infants who consumed powdered formula from Abbott nutrition last year developed Cronobacter infections and two died.

That resulted in Abbott’s production facility in Sturgis, Michigan being shut down, triggering a nationwide formula shortage.

Right now, Minnesota is the only state that tracks Cronobacter infections.

The FDA is also thinking about creating a dedicated team of food inspectors focused on infant formula.