Baby formula maker could be back online in 1 to 2 weeks

EL PASO, Texas – The shuttered baby formula factory tied to a national shortage could be up and running by next week, according to the Food and Drug Administration's commissioner.

"We had to really wrestle this to the ground with Abbott ending up in a consent decree with the Justice department to make sure as we bring the plant up, both the FDA inspectorate and external experts are watching every step of the way. And I'm pleased to say today we've already made significant progress, and I think we are on track to get open in the next week to two weeks, most likely at the outer bound two weeks," said Robert Califf, FDA Commissioner.

Califf took heated questions from democrats and republicans on the shortage as he faced House lawmakers. He's the first administration official to testify before Congress on the issue.

Califf stressed the crisis had shown the importance of strengthening the supply chain's resilience, saying we could be one natural disaster, quality mishap or cyber attack from this happening again.

Once production resumes, it would still take two months for the new formula to begin arriving in stores.