DOJ Ends Criminal Probe, Seeks Civil Penalties from Abbott

The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its criminal investigation into Abbott Laboratories over bacterial contamination at its infant formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan, opting to pursue civil penalties instead. The decision, first reported on June 28, 2026, ends a years-long federal probe that began after a 2022 plant shutdown and product recall contributed to a national formula shortage.

The investigation stemmed from an inspection of the Abbott Nutrition facility in early 2022, when the Food and Drug Administration detected Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can cause fatal infections in infants. The FDA linked the plant to four infant illnesses, four hospitalizations, and two deaths. This prompted a voluntary recall of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare products and the plant's closure, which severely strained the nation's formula supply.

Federal prosecutors had spent more than three years building a case, according to reports. Some investigators reportedly believed they had gathered enough evidence to pursue criminal charges against the company or individuals for violating food safety laws. However, senior Justice Department officials ultimately closed the criminal...