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Abbott Labs ramps up air cargo imports of baby formula

Nationwide shortage puts pressure on industry, government to find alternative supplies

Abbott Laboratories is flying in powdered infant formula from Ireland until a key manufacturing plant can be restored in the U.S. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Abbott Laboratories has turned to air cargo to help overcome a domestic shortage of baby formula exacerbated by a February recall due to suspected contamination and the subsequent shutdown of its Sturgis, Michigan, plant. 

The beleaguered maker of Similac and other formula brands said Friday it is taking a number of steps to alleviate formula supply problems, with a focus on increasing production at its Cootehill, Ireland, facility. It has air shipped millions of cans of infant formula powder from the plant to the U.S. since February.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) spokesperson Brandi Martin declined to provide additional details about the airfreight operation.

The Irish Examiner reported in late April that Abbott Laboratories is making daily air deliveries from Ireland and this year will triple the amount of powder imported from Ireland.


A shelve in a supermarket showing a limited amount of baby formula available, with a sign reading "Due to limited supplies, baby formula is limited to 4 per customer)
Stores have been limiting purchases of baby formula because of the shortage. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The nationwide out-of-stock average for baby formula reached 43% for the week ending May 8, according to retail technology firm Datasembly. In several major metro areas the shortfall of formula was 50%. Supply chain disruptions that impacted packaging and raw materials began to slow formula deliveries last year and the situation got worse after the invasion of Ukraine this year. Many parents are desperately searching to find formula for their children. 

Abbott Nutrition, the largest infant formula manufacturer in the U.S., recalled several lines of powdered formula in mid-February over concerns about bacterial contamination at the Sturgis facility after four infants fell ill and two died.

The Biden administration has redoubled efforts to make more formula available in the face of criticism it was slow to react to the shortage. President Biden last week convened a call with manufacturers and retailers to discuss ways to boost production and other initiatives, such as enforcement against price gouging and importing more baby formula from abroad.

The U.S. produces 98% of the infant formula it consumes, but the FDA announced a streamlined import entry review process for certain products coming from facilities in Mexico, Chile, Ireland and the Netherlands with favorable inspection records. 


The administration is strongly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to try to ease the pressure over time, according to CNN and other news outlets.

Abbott said it has also switched manufacturing lines at its Columbus, Ohio, plant to boost production of Similac liquid ready-to-feed and is prioritizing production of infant formula at other manufacturing plants.

The Sturgis plant could reopen within two weeks after addressing Food and Drug Administration concerns, but it will take at least six to eight weeks until the formula reaches stores, the company said. 

Abbott is an $11.9 billion pharmaceutical and medical device company.


FW Now: When will the baby formula shortage be alleviated?

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Eric Kulisch

Eric is the Supply Chain and Air Cargo Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals and a Silver Medal from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government and trade coverage, and news analysis. He was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He won Environmental Journalist of the Year from the Seahorse Freight Association in 2014 and was the group's 2013 Supply Chain Journalist of the Year. In December 2022, Eric was voted runner up for Air Cargo Journalist by the Seahorse Freight Association. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. He has appeared on Marketplace, ABC News and National Public Radio to talk about logistics issues in the news. Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com