Abbott's facility has now closed and reopened twice this year. The baby formula plant had previously closed in February following a bacterial contamination.
The Biden administration is trying to help foreign manufacturers stay in the U.S. market for the long term, in an effort to diversify the industry amid a nationwide shortage.
Abbott's Sturgis, Mich., plant was open for less than two weeks before it had to close again after flooding from severe weather. The company said it hopes to resume production in a few weeks.
Abbott's initial re-release of products will be available to consumers beginning around June 20, the company says. The facility was forced to close after a bacterial contamination at the site.
The Department of Health and Human Services wants to know if the FDA followed its rules and procedures in investigating the contamination of baby formula and recalling it.
As parents scramble to find scarce baby formula and the government races to boost production and imports, some advocates say the U.S. should do more to encourage breastfeeding.
Australia is sending the equivalent of more than 27 million 8-ounce bottles of goat's milk and other baby formulas, as the U.S. government works to replenish store shelves during the shortage.
Some media reports say the government is banning baby bottles. Not true. A new law clamps down on advertising for bottles and infant formula. But bottle users are still concerned.
For some Georgia families, the ongoing formula shortage is compounded by larger issues of food access or a variety of things that make shifting to breastfeeding difficult — if not impossible.
But Abbott has said that, after production resumes, it could take about two months before new formula begins arriving in stores. The company's factory has been closed due to contamination problems.
Biden is also authorizing the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly formula supplies that meet federal standards from overseas to the U.S.
Abbott, one of the largest formula-makers in the U.S., has reached an agreement with the government to bring a closed factory back on line. And the FDA is easing some restrictions on imported formula.
States have been asked to increase accessibility of baby formula for recipients of the low-income program. And the Food and Drug Administration is looking at ways to make it easier to import formula.
Regular and specialized baby formulas have been running low across the U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says she will ask President Biden to consider using the Defense Production Act to boost production.
