Abbott LaboratoriesRobert Ford is the CEO apologized Saturday in a new op-ed for his company’s roleThis week, there was a national shortage of baby formula. Congress and the Biden administration took emergency measures to address it.

Ford also described the measures the company has taken to reduce the shortage and promised, “We will make substantial investments to ensure that this does not happen again.”

Ford offers an apology a Washington Post op-edIt was noted that there had been a recall of formula at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis facility in Michigan in February after health officials detected a deadly bacteria. This plant produced up to 25% national baby formula.

Ford said in the opinion piece that Abbott is proud to help people suffering from diabetes. He also noted that Abbott provides critical coronavirus testing for patients and makes life-saving heart devices.

Ford said that Ford admitted that he takes great pride manufacturing formula and nutrition to feed America’s infants. Ford wrote, “But these past months have disturbed us as much they have you. So I’d like to apologize to all families we have let down since our voluntary recall has exacerbated the nation’s.” baby formula shortage.”

Ford stated that Abbott thought voluntary recall was the “right thing to do”.

He stated that “We will never take risks when it is about the health of our children.”

Four babies who had drank formula from Michigan were admitted to hospital with bacterial infection. Two infants died.

In April however, federal health officials told NBC NewsThe bacterial strains in the infants were not compatible with those found at the Abbott facility.

The “Nevertheless, FDA’s investigationWe discovered a strain of bacteria that was not able to be tolerated in our plants. Ford stated that he had high expectations for this company and was disappointed.

Hours later, President Obama received the apology Joe BidenNew Access to Baby Formula Act has been signed into law. This Act is intended to help eligible WIC families buy formula more easily. WIC, also known as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women and Infants (SSPNC) is now law.

Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production ActIn order to address the problem of the baby formula shortage, the suppliers were required to send ingredients to the infant formula manufacturer before any other company that might have placed an order for the exact same product.

U.S. military planes will fly 132 pallets Nestle baby formula from Germany to Indianapolis on Sunday. U.S. military aircraft will fly more formula later.

Ford’s Saturday op–ed outlined what Abbott did to respond to the crisis. Ford said that “some children have been admitted because EleCare is not available, which is a specialized formula designed for children who are unable or unwilling to digest any other milks or formulas.”

Ford explained that because of their individual needs, the formula can be restricted to children. Ford also wrote: “I will not mince words — this is tragic and heartbreaking, and it is consuming my thoughts and those of my colleagues.”

Ford claimed that Abbott will prioritize EleCare “when manufacturing resumes, and get it out the door first”, and has in the interim established a $5million fund to assist families with their living and medical costs.

He wrote, “Consumers can feel secure buying any Abbott product they find in the stores shelves.”

He wrote, “What’s available has been subject to rigorous inspection and is now ready for your baby.”

Ford mentioned that Abbott had converted its production lines at the Columbus plant for adult nutrition products “to prioritize production of ready to-feed liquid infant formula.”

He wrote that he had been sending millions of powdered infant formula cans from Ireland, an FDA-approved facility to the United States ever since the recall.

Ford indicated that Abbott plans to resume the Sturgis Plan in the first week June. This is after having entered into a consent agreement with the federal Food and Drug Administration.

According to him, formula will be available in stores within six to eight weeks after the plant reopens.

He also stated that “When our Michigan facility is operating at its full capacity, it will more than double the current production of powdered formula infant formula for America.”

“By June end, we’ll be providing more formula for Americans than in January.

Ford stated that “These steps we are taking will not end the struggles for families today.” While some solutions might not be immediate, others may take several weeks. However, we are determined to make it happen. I won’t rest. “I want everybody to believe in me and do the right thing, which I understand must be earned.”

Read the complete Washington Post op-ed here.