The US Department of Justice has closed a criminal probe into Abbott Laboratories over its handling of a baby formula plant linked to potentially deadly bacteria and infant deaths. Instead, the company will face civil penalties. Abbott initiated a recall of its infant formula products and closed its Michigan plant in 2022 after investigators found traces of a potentially deadly bacteria at that plant.
Background
The recall and the plant closure worsened a national shortage of baby formula that had begun with pandemic supply chain issues. Abbott had said at the time that there was no evidence linking its formulas to these illnesses. No unopened, distributed Abbott infant formulas have tested positive for the bacteria that sickened the babies, a company spokesman told the Wall Street Journal.
Some prosecutors believed they had evidence to criminally charge the company, but top decision makers closed the probe. The Department of Justice does not believe in regulation by prosecution, according to a spokeswoman.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
