EXCLUSIVE — President Joe Biden's Federal Trade Commission is being sued for allegedly blocking the release of records related to its investigation of the nationwide baby formula shortage.
in infant formula. The shortage was worsened in February 2022 when major manufacturer Abbott Labs shut down its Sturgis, Michigan, plant after the Food and Drug Administration found bacteria there that led to two infants dying.in April that a whistleblower and former Abbott employee sent a 34-page complaint to the FDA in October 2021 warning of the plant's problems. That complaint was lost in the FDA's mailroom for four months until the FDA reviewed it, the agency said in May.
The watchdog also wants records showing FTC commissioners perhaps communicating with outside groups about the investigation and any"analysis or discussion" conducted by FTC commissioners on comments submitted about infant formula. On Sept. 7, the FTC told the watchdog in a letter it would be unable to comply with its FOIA request within the 20-day period required under the law. The agency granted itself an extension due to the “unusual circumstances” that arose from the “need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request.