Chicago, IL: A class action lawsuit alleging deceptive business practices has been filed against Abbott Laboratories over claims that the pharmaceutical giant sold millions of tubs of infant powder formula that were contaminated with beetles and beetle larvae.
The lawsuit, which was brought in federal court in Chicago, was filed on behalf of Maria C. Kiely, a mother of a newborn baby boy. The suit alleges that Abbott knew that its baby formula was tainted for at least six days prior to announcing it to the public. As a result, the suit claims that the named plaintiff's son, like thousands of babies throughout the country, suffered gastrointestinal health issues as a result of ingesting the tainted formula.
On September 22, Abbott recalled certain Similac-brand, powder infant formulas in the U.S. because an internal quality review revealed the presence of "a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility, " the company press release stated.
