r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/dnaltrop_metrop • 17h ago
Science journalism Unsanitary Practices Persist at Baby Formula Factory Whose Shutdown Led to Mass Shortages, Workers Say
Reporting Highlights
Unsanitary Conditions: Workers at one of the nation’s largest baby formula plants say the Abbott Laboratories facility is engaging in unsanitary practices.
Cardboard Funnel: In one case, workers said an employee used a piece of cardboard from a trash bin to funnel coconut oil, a formula ingredient, into a tank during production.
Federal Response: One worker complained to the FDA, but it’s unclear how the agency will respond. The Trump administration recently cut 3,500 jobs at the FDA in a mass layoff.
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u/GiraffeExternal8063 16h ago
This doesn’t surprise me at all. Capitalism 🫠
They could turn round in 10 years and be like oh whoops yeah formula causes cancer - and there’s literally nothing we can do.
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u/jjjfffrrr123456 9h ago edited 5h ago
What does this have to do with capitalism? First of all, do you think Eastern European states that had to queue for basic groceries had sufficient quantities of high quality baby formula? And secondly, all European countries are capitalist and we don’t have this issue with formula.
In fact I distinctly remember bringing a lot of cartons for my 6 week vacation in the us with our then 11 month old. We brought hipp formula that cost us 15€ per pack and saw packs for 50$ at target.
The limit is because of barriers to trade, otherwise you could purchase high quality and cheap formula easily!
Edit: nice downvotes in a supposedly science based subreddit. It’s a fact that many capitalist countries do not have the same problems with cheap and high quality formula.
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u/GiraffeExternal8063 8h ago
I just meant that capitalism encourages companies to make as much money as possible for their shareholders. So the fewer regulations the better.
We’ve seen it throughout history, companies want to make as much profit as they can. Formula companies don’t give a sh*t about your baby. They just want to make money, as much as possible as fast as possible.
Hence why we had entire generations brainwashed into thinking formula was superior to breastmilk.
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u/glittermakesmeshiver 12h ago
Well we already know there are immediate and lifelong adverse effects that due to capitalism are swept under the rug! Horrible!
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u/Pertinent-nonsense 3h ago
Why is this downvoted? There are plenty of horrible results from capitalism that are swept under the rug.
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u/ExpectingHobbits 2h ago
I think they're asserting that there are lifelong consequences from formula, which is not true.
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u/caffeine_lights 15h ago
Many of these dangers can be eliminated by preparing formula as per WHO guidelines with hot water, and limiting storage time.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241595414
I am not saying that formula companies should not enforce hygiene practices at their plants, because they absolutely should and they must be held accountable for this. But in terms of parents' worries and talk about importing formula - there is no need/benefit in doing that. European formula factory workers are underpaid and overworked too (e.g. Lactalis contamination 2017) and you put yourself at higher risk of not being alerted to any recalls if you have imported formula.
Following the WHO guidance is a safer way to reduce risk.
I also found this an interesting discussion (NYT The Daily podcast from May 27 2022).
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u/caffeine_lights 15h ago
I think this is probably the most useful part of the document BTW:
According to the FAO/WHO risk assessment, risk is dramatically reduced when PIF [powdered infant formula] is reconstituted with water that is no less than 70 °C, as this temperature will kill any E. sakazakii in the powder. This level of risk reduction holds even if feeding times are extended (i.e. up to two hours), and even if ambient room temperature reaches 35 °C. Consequently, reconstituting PIF with water no less than 70 °C dramatically reduces the risk to all infants, even slow feeding infants and infants in warm climates where refrigeration may not be readily available (e.g. developing countries).
When PIF is prepared with water cooler than 70 °C, it does not reach a high enough temperature to completely inactivate E. sakazakii present in the powder. This is a concern for two reasons: a) a small number of cells may cause illness, therefore it is important that cells present in the PIF are destroyed; and b) the potential for surviving cells to multiply in the reconstituted formula. This risk is increased when the reconstituted formula is held for extended periods above refrigeration temperature.
Concerns have been raised over the use of very hot water for reconstituting PIF, but risk of E. sakazakii is only dramatically reduced when water at a temperature of no less than 70 °C is used. Currently, the instructions on many PIF products lead to PIF being reconstituted with water that is around 50 °C. But, according to the FAO/WHO risk assessment, reconstitution with 50 °C water generally results in the greatest increase in risk, unless the reconstituted formula is consumed immediately. Under no circumstances is risk reduced when PIF is reconstituted with 50 °C water. Manufacturer's instructions should be reviewed in the light of the findings of the risk assessment.
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u/readrunrescue 13h ago
Except you can't purchase formula if it literally isn't on the shelf. With the 2022 shortage, a major manufacturer was completely shut down for an extended period of time. If I remember correctly, they made more than 50% of formula on the market. After the shutdown in Feb 2022, one of their lines started up again in July (5 months after shutdown) and other lines took a few more months. Formula availability didn't go back to normal until spring 2023.
You couldn't even take the risk. There just wasn't any to buy.
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u/caffeine_lights 4h ago
That's basically what the podcast was discussing - was it helpful to recall all the formula and cause shortages, which caused problems for a lot of babies, when the presence of bacteria is only a high risk for the very youngest/most vulnerable babies. ie, did the recall cause more problems than it solved. I don't think they did discuss the WHO guidance which I found surprising because I would have thought it would be a useful aspect of the conversation.
The advice about using hot water to prepare and keeping prepared formula out of the risk zone for bacterial growth is more general advice for when a recall has not happened because the truth is that no recall doesn't mean that formula powder is not contaminated - the recalls only happen after they discover contamination, which will have been out in the market for some time.
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u/wishspirit 6h ago
This is the way that the NHS recommends formula be made. New machines are coming out to make them to this standard (Nuby rapid and the newer versions of the perfect prep machine).
I EBF, one of the reasons being that I’m paranoid I’ll make it wrong!
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u/caffeine_lights 3h ago
I was so surprised when I first started reading international parenting spaces to hear that it is common practice in the US to make formula up with tap water. Just feels like it's so drummed into you in the UK to use boiling water.
Also when I moved to Germany and the formula cans literally say to make up with water which is heated to 38C so it's ready to feed straight away. (I ignored this and did it the UK way!)
I didn't know the Perfect Prep was getting an updated version.
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u/glittermakesmeshiver 12h ago
I think if we all knew more about the risks of formula and just how hard it is to properly prepare, along with the stress, shopping, bottle feeding, cleaning bottles, etc. I think it would make breastfeeding look much more comparable and less complicated. I think the early days of breastfeeding are very challenging but after a month or so it starts to get much easier and would mean avoiding a crisis like this when possible. It sucks America can’t provide better lactation education and support.
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u/ladymoira 10h ago
I don’t think it’s even more stigma (and victim blaming) against formula that’s needed here.
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u/bon-mots 4h ago
People who feed their babies formula are not stupid. I was very diligent about how I prepared my baby’s bottles and about disposing of the formula within the proper timeframe because I knew there were risks to my baby’s health if I wasn’t mindful about those things. I also spent 5.5 months breastfeeding and constantly trying to increase my supply and it was extraordinarily expensive, involved constantly cleaning pump parts (which is also necessary for your baby’s health) and researching different pumps, flange sizes, supplements, lactation consultants, and recipes, in addition to absolutely destroying my mental health and requiring me to wake up 2x night to pump even when my baby was asleep. Heaping the shame of “maybe you didn’t just try hard enough!” onto parents who are simply trying to feed their babies while simultaneously dealing with the stress of shortages and reporting about unsanitary conditions at plants is just cruel.
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u/waaaaait_whaaaaat 2h ago
This sounds like a misconception that the barrier to breastfeeding is just education or effort related. Both of my babies had oral ties and even with releases, bodywork, hours and hours of lactation consultant time, neither could nurse well (more than one LC called them “uncoordinated eaters”) and were losing weight because of the work associated. I exclusively pumped for many months but ultimately, Formula literally saved my babies lives. It wasn’t for a lack of effort or trying or support, it was just what my babies needed and I am so thankful every day that formula exists
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u/ColloquialShart 2h ago
This comment is insinuating that breastfeeding is an option for every mother out there, and that formula feeders are uneducated. I had to get a mastectomy and I'm physically unable to breastfeed. Formula is my only option. I know several other mothers who had no other options for various reasons as well. I hope you understand formula feeding isn't always a choice.
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u/Professional_Cable37 28m ago
Fr. People who make these comments are just low empathy. They can’t comprehend the pain a mum can feel when she wasn’t able to feed her baby the way she wanted to. I tried everything under the sun to increase my supply and watching my baby fail to thrive was heartbreaking.
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u/dngrousgrpfruits 1h ago
I can't tell you how many incredibly intelligent, well informed, well supported and painfully hard working women I personally know who either were unable to breastfeed exclusively or who chose formula for entirely valid reasons.
Your argument is trash and your incessant shaming is the opposite of helpful
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u/sweetteaspicedcoffee 16h ago
My baby isn't going to drink all the frozen milk I have. It'll be out of date in the next 6 months or so but I think I'll keep it around. Someone will need it.
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u/Motorspuppyfrog 14h ago
You could donate it to a milk bank, that's what I'm doing
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u/sweetteaspicedcoffee 13h ago
I wish I could. I take blood pressure meds that make it not safe for preemies but fine for full term healthy babies.
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u/cantdothismuchmore 12h ago
You might be able to find a mom to donate directly too if you want to? There's a local FB page for my community where people post milk donations
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u/dngrousgrpfruits 1h ago
Human milk 4 human babies is an org that coordinates local peer to peer breastmilk donation 💞
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u/readrunrescue 16h ago
I had my 1st baby in February 2022. The sample cans we received were part of the recall. Breastfeeding did not come easy, but we made it work because I barely had another choice. I ended up on multiple groups trying to help moms find formula for their babies. I ended up learning a lot about WIC (ex: Target doesn't take it, so you could find formula there longer than other places but not everyone could access it). I feel like we didn't see normal formula shelves for about a year.
Of course, I'm pregnant with #2 now so seems fitting we may head down that road again.
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u/PlutosGrasp 16h ago
What’s WIC?
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u/lidelle 16h ago
A government program called Women’s Infants Children. It helps buy food for pregnant/breastfeeding moms, formula for infants and healthy food for children up to 5. I think it’s 5.
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u/Sweet-MamaRoRo 15h ago
Yes. And you can apply at least in Washington state the moment you pee positive on that stick. If you miscarry you get 6 months still as a postpartum mom. So if you qualify then get on right away.
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u/readrunrescue 15h ago
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is a federal program in the United States that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and food assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.
It's critical in this case because only some retailers can/will take it. So babies/parents that rely on it may be able to find formula at non-participating retailers, but they won't be able to access it.
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u/rosemarythymesage 15h ago
Sooooo how do we find out if the formula we bought is made in the Sturgis plant? Does anyone know if this is traceable?
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u/PlutosGrasp 16h ago
Why is this so difficult for them?
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u/dngrousgrpfruits 1h ago
Seems like there are some major cultural issues at play in addition to the myriad structural issues that were brought to light during the last recall.
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u/unlimitedtokens 15h ago
I donated breastmilk when I had my first and pumped longer than intended! Ughhh this freaks me out so badly and I feel so fortunate I was a slight oversupplier so I wanted to share what I could spare. It breaks my heart that anyone has to worry about how they’re gonna feed their baby. I’m pregnant again and hoping breastfeeding this one is similar and I can make more than enough milk to share with those who have lower yields and need it. It’s such a crapshoot, you can do your absolute best and still not have enough and I feel for anyone who is so scared about not having enough formula 😭
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u/Chispachapis 11h ago
And Consumer Reports found arsenic and lead in Similac formulas (owned by Abbot). Because of all this I have switched to a different brand
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u/SweetTea1000 11h ago
Ok, this appears to be a matter of public health. Many people in this thread (sorry, I'm now seeing I didn't appreciate the gravity of this when it was happening) are discussing scenarios where they believe their child may be permanently developmentally delayed, their growth stunted, or were afraid of losing their child.
If you're a $ person, you don't want a generation of medically compromised workers. If you're a security concerned person, you don't want a generation of weakened soldiers. If you're a nationalist, you don't want a generation of weak Americans. If you're a normal human being with basic empathy, you don't need any of that to remember that the one basic thing everyone in a society is supporting to be able to come together and agree on is taking care of the kids.
So, since we're all on the same page here about this being too critical a piece of infrastructure to allow to fail: why the fuck is the responsibility for maintaining this resource in the hands of an organization who's top priority is not the maintenance of this resource and who's failed us before?
2 strikes, you're out
This seems like exactly the kind of company that the US government should nationalize as a matter of national security.
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u/dngrousgrpfruits 1h ago
If only the government were in the business of ... Benefiting citizens in any way, or monitoring and regulating companies for our protection
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u/DryAbbreviation9 16h ago
Is ProPublica a credible source? Haven’t heard of them before.
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u/readrunrescue 16h ago
ProPublica has been around for 18 years and seems pretty solid all around. They are an independent, non-profit newsroom with a mission to produce investigative journalism in the public interest. Their work seems to be non-parisan. Charity Navigator gives them a 100% score.
I know wiki isn't always the best source, but it gives an idea of some of what they've reported on. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProPublica
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u/Jaded_Panda7362 16h ago
Very! It is an online non-profit investigative journalism organization that has won multiple pulitzers
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u/biobennett 16h ago
Generally yes and ground news lists this article as very high factuality
Unsanitary Practices Persist at Baby Formula Factory Whose Shutdown Led to Mass Shortages, Workers Say
If more cover the story ground will add them later too
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u/Purple_Wombat_ 17h ago
As someone who had insufficient supply and insufficient mammary tissue this is horrifying