Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen that can survive in dry settings. It has been in the news due to Abbott Laboratories' $385 million settlement over a 2022 Sturgis, Michigan baby formula contamination inquiry.
The Justice Department has reached a settlement over claims that Abbott’s powdered infant formula posed an unacceptable contamination risk and harmed reliability. Regulators found no Cronobacter sakazakii in unopened products, while Biden rules were relaxed to ease shortages during the crisis.