The baby formula shortage isn’t over yet, but to prevent future shortages, the United States is taking a critical look at what went wrong earlier this year. , released an internal report on the failures and accidents that led to its slow response to the formula crisis. Many reasons were cited, including outdated data systems, inadequate emergency response systems capable of managing multiple public health emergencies, and lack of consumer education on how to handle and prepare infant formula.The agency also admitted there are many unknowns about bacterial contaminants ChronobacterIt was reportedly contained in Abbott Nutrition’s baby formula products.

“The formula shortage was a complete storm,” explains Jenelle Ferry, neonatologist and director of lactation, nutrition, and infant development at Pediatrix Neonatology in Florida. “Restrictions due to the COVID pandemic combined with problems in her supply chain have now put us in a relationship with a company. [Abbott Nutrition] It is a leading manufacturer of formula products. ”

On February 17, 2022, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using Abbott Nutrition infant formula due to concerns about bacterial contamination in the product. Shortly after, Abbott voluntarily recalled infant formula and closed the facility during his ongoing FDA investigation. Before the recall, the company was responsible for his 40% of infant formula production. Uncertainty about when products will return to shelves has created panic buying and made products difficult to find. “This situation created a sense of insecurity and mistrust of the whole process. I don’t think the family knew what to believe or what was safe for the baby,” Ferry says.

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Ferry explains that part of the reason for the distrust is the lack of understanding behind what really happened to babies who allegedly drank contaminated formula. Cronobacter. Initial reports indicated the baby had fallen ill Chronobacter After drinking Abbott’s similar but not the same formula, she says. “To say the formula is tainted is very misleading because it is not clear. [if] Two infants who died ChronobacterTests later revealed that Chronobacter It was on the surface of some of the manufacturing plants, but tests to identify the bacterial strain in the infants found it didn’t match what was found at the plant. This is because the strains found in the infant formula were different from each other.

this is not the first time Chronobacter A problem with such products has been that bacteria are a known contaminant of infant formula. Richard Martinello, an infectious disease specialist at Yale School of Medicine, says the bacterium is naturally present in the environment and prefers very dry environments such as dry formula. It causes severe infection in vulnerable populations such as underdeveloped infants.in the meantime Chronobacter Infections are rare. Two to four cases are reported each year in the United States. Infected infants (under 1 year old) may experience symptoms such as fever, seizures, and meningitis. Without treatment, death is likely, or meningitis can lead to long-term neurological problems.

Ferry stresses that when we look at contamination we need to ask what was first exposed and where. Chronobacter None of the recalled items were directly detected – it is possible that the product was exposed to bacteria from other environmental conditions or handling rather than the contaminated ingredients. If not processed or prepared, formulas have a much greater chance of picking up bacteria on countertops, storage areas, and even at home.

Among the FDA’s proposed areas for improvement, Martinello said it’s important to create a system to make that happen. Chronobacter It is a reportable disease that the state can identify. By doing so, we can better understand the frequency of cases and give scientists more opportunities to study the bacteria.

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Although formula is regulated as a food, experts agree that it is a life-saving item for babies under 6 months of age, for whom milk is the primary source of nutrition. Arik Alper, a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, explains that infant formula shortages hit infants with special needs the hardest. Abbott is a leading producer of specialty infant formulas for infants with food allergies, who cannot digest certain proteins in their diet, or who have medical conditions requiring dairy-free formulas. Yes. “If you want a standard formula, there are other options, but problems arise when a special formula isn’t available,” he says. “It is not easy [for babies] Due to adaptations to the new formula, the transition may be associated with gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and irregular bowel movements.

Ferry says breast milk is the only alternative to safely and adequately nourish babies under 6 months when infant formula is not available. But breastfeeding isn’t an option for all caregivers, so many opt for infant formula, she notes. Another possibility is to find other brands of infant formula. You can, but there are fewer options for infants with special needs. Although he doesn’t recommend it, Alper has seen parents create their own formula recipes in a blender at home. , says that this is more suitable for older children, and that if parents insist on making their own stock, the process should be overseen by a nutritionist to ensure a nutritious and balanced diet. One of the things he objects to is parents diluting their existing formula stocks to make them last longer. You need to have enough nutrients, vitamins and fiber,” Alper says.

Production resumed at Abbott’s Michigan plant in early July. The FDA is now forming a group to work on improving the gaps identified in the infant shortage research and plans to reassess progress within a year.