The head of the Food and Drug Administration is testifying about a series of setbacks that led to a months-long delay in inspecting the plant at the center of a nationwide baby formula shortage
Michelle Saenz of Santee, Calif. buys baby formula at a grocery story across the border, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Tijuana, Mexico. As the baby formula shortage continues in the United States, some parents are opting to cross the border into Mexico, where the shelves are still stocked with options to feed their babies.
The FDA and President Joe Biden face mounting pollical pressure to explain why they didn’t intervene earlier to try and address the supply problems. The oversight subcommittee's ranking Republican quickly zeroed in on the slow response. Califf gave the first detailed account of why his agency took months to inspect the plant despite learning of potential problems as early as September.
Abbott and the FDA have reached an agreement to reopen the plant next week, requiring the company to regularly undergo outside safety audits.