STURGIS, MI - Infant-formula plant Abbott Laboratories in Sturgis is facing a criminal investigation after its shutdown last year.

The Department of Justice is conducting the investigation.

Abbott is the manufacturer for making popular powdered-infant formulas like Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, which were recalled last year for a period of time due to contamination. The recall in the shut down at Abbott caused a shortage nationwide of powdered formula.

Officials at the Sturgis company are reportedly fully aware of the investigation and are fully cooperating.

The plant closed initially in February 2022 after the FDA began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula. The company says “its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.”

FDA inspectors eventually uncovered several violations at the plant, “including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof, and relaxed safety protocols.”