(Reuters) – Abbott Laboratories The largest U.S. provider of powder infant formula, including Similac (NYSE:), initiated a recall earlier in the year and shut down its Sturgis manufacturing facility. This was after four babies were diagnosed with serious bacterial infections.

This recall has led to a greater shortage of baby formula among many manufacturers, which began as a result of supply chain issues that were affected by pandemics.

These are the details of what happened.

WHEN DID THE PLANT DISAPPEAR?

Production at an Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan, has been halted since February as the company works to rectify issues raised https://www.fda.gov/media/157073/download by federal inspectors.

WHY DIDN’T ABBOTT INITIALISE A RECALL PLANT SHUTDOWN

The four sick infants included three with Cronobacter Sakazakii infections, one with Salmonella Newport and two with Cronobacter sakazakii. All were fed formula manufactured at Sturgis. Later, the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention added a fourth infant to their investigation with cronobacter sakazakii.

Cronobacter sakazakii can cause life threatening sepsis infections or meningitis and may have contributed to the death of two of the infants, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has said https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-infections-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022. They continue to examine the cases of Cronobacter.

WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED?

In mid-February, the recall included dozens of Similac and Alimentum powdered formulas. The recall also included Similac PM 60/40, a specialty liquid formula.

DID THE FDA AND CDC FIND A LINK??

Abbott says https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/abbott-update-on-powder-formula-recall.html there is no evidence to link its formulas to these illnesses. The FDA, CDC and others have not provided any details that could link the diseases to the plants.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Abbott tested environmental and product samples at the plant. Abbott said five samples from the environment contained Cronobacter. All of the product samples were negative.

The CDC analyzed two clinical samples taken from the infants. It found no match for the environment strains. It stated also that bacteria found in patient samples was not closely related.

WHEN WILL THE ABSOTT PLANT RESUME PRODUCTION

Two experts Reuters spoke with expect the plant’s production to resume within the next two weeks. Peter Pitts is a former FDA Head and the President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. He said that the problems were not technical and that Abbott has been trying to restart the plant for several months.

Abbott stated that the FDA will give the green light for the facility to open within two weeks. Robert Califf, FDA Commissioner, told NBC News Monday that it is “quite probable” that the FDA will soon reopen this facility.

In order to meet the U.S. shortfall, Abbott has imported millions upon millions of infant formula cans from Ireland. This recall also affected formula that was shipped to Israel and other countries.

WHAT TIME WILL IT TAKE FOR THE SHORTAGE SUBSIDE TO COME TO LIFE?

The supply shortages could last for another 2 to 4 months, even though lawmakers and the White House are trying to improve supplies. Abbott said that formula will be on the shelves in six- to eight weeks after the facility reopens.

Bill Marler, a U.S. food safety attorney said that even though the products will be back on the market within the next two weeks, there will still be a shortage of 30-60 days. That’s going to make it difficult.

ISN’T IT THE WHY?

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, consumers had stockpiled and the shortage started in 2020. The formula makers increased production, but cut back on demand in 2021. Retailers have been unable to quickly replenish shelves due to global shipping delays.