S10 Ep143: The New Formula (Abbott Laboratories)
Summary
This episode of Swindled investigates the 2025 infant botulism outbreak linked to By Heart formula, a startup that rose to prominence during the 2022 national formula shortage. The narrative traces how By Heart capitalized on the crisis caused by Abbott Laboratories’ Sturgis plant shutdown, which resulted from egregious sanitation failures and a Cronobacter contamination. The episode details Abbott’s history of regulatory negligence, including ignored whistleblower reports and a pattern of prioritizing stock buybacks over safety, which precipitated the initial shortage. It concludes by exam…
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Progressive and Dupixent
Rose Dexter's illness and the search for a safe formula
Founding By Heart and the challenges of the formula industry
By Heart's rise during the 2022 national formula shortage
By Heart botulism recall and subsequent lawsuits
Investigation into By Heart contamination and industry flaws
Introduction to Abbott Laboratories and the 2022 crisis
Sponsor: Home Chef
Sponsors: Progressive and Dupixent
Cronobacter outbreak and Abbott's massive recall
The worsening shortage and FDA inspection of Sturgis plant
Inconclusive FDA findings and government emergency measures
The 'perfect storm' of bureaucratic delays and vulnerabilities
Sponsor: Swindled Valued Listener Rewards Program
Sponsors: Blueland and Progressive
Sponsor: Dupixent
Whistleblower complaints and ignored safety warnings
FDA's slow response and pandemic-era inspection gaps
Abbott's profits, stock buybacks, and OSHA complaints
History of Cronobacter issues and infant deaths
Criminal investigations and Abbott's past scandals
Pharmaceutical fraud settlements and kickback schemes
The PediaSure litigation and corporate business model
WIC contracts, market dominance, and lobbying efforts
Sponsor: Gusto
Sponsors: Progressive and Dupixent
Robin Gill's story and NEC in premature infants
Scientific debate on formula and NEC risk
Abbott's defense strategy and the Gill trial
The $495 million verdict and appellate rulings
Dropped criminal charges and FDA leadership concerns
Outro and listener support information
Sponsor: Iris Palmer
Sponsor: OxyClean
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