An American judge has ordered food company Abbott to pay $495 million in damages. Abbott was sued by the parents of a premature baby over contaminated baby milk powder.
The case revolved around a batch of Abbott's milk powder for premature babies that was found to be contaminated with bacteria. This led to a serious intestinal disease in one baby, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially life-threatening condition that mainly affects premature babies.
During the lawsuit it became clear that Abbott had previously received signals about possible problems with the milk powder, but that these warnings had not been taken sufficiently seriously. The company was accused of negligence for failing to take timely action to inform consumers of the dangers.
The jury found that Abbott should be held responsible and awarded $495 million in damages to the family of the affected child. This compensation includes the medical costs as well as the emotional and physical damage suffered by the child and the parents.
Abbott says they disagree with the decision and plan to appeal. The company emphasized that the safety of their products is paramount and that they are continuously working to improve their quality controls and safety protocols.
This trial and subsequent conviction have attracted widespread attention in the media and within the food industry. It has led to a discussion about the responsibilities of food producers and the measures needed to ensure consumer safety.
Critics point out that this case further demonstrates how important it is for companies to be transparent about the risks of their products and to act proactively at the first sign of problems.
In response to the ruling, some investors and consumer groups have questioned their confidence in Abbott's management and product safety. It is still unclear what the long-term consequences will be for the company, both financially and reputationally.