Concern as US faces baby formula shortage
WASHINGTON: There’s no end in sight to America’s shortage of baby formula — and the crisis has highlighted the lack of competition that has spread to all parts of the US economy, even essential ones such as food for infants.
The problem “is not going to solve itself in a day or week,” Brian Deese, a top White House economic adviser, told CNN on Friday.
He was unable to say how long the crisis would last.
Initially caused by supply chain blockages and a lack of production workers due to the pandemic, the shortage was exacerbated in February when, ater the death of two infants, manufacturer Abbot announced a “voluntary recall” for formula made at its factory in Michigan and shut down that location.
The shortage has let many parents frantic and fearful their infants may starve. Formula is a necessity for many families, particularly in low-income households where mothers have to return to work almost immediately ater giving birth and cannot breasfeed.
A further issue is that prices for the formula that remains have skyrocketed.
An investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Abbot’s formula but made 483 “observations” about the factory, Abbot said in a statement on Friday.
“We immediately began implementing corrective actions and subject to FDA approval, we could restart our Sturgis, Mich., site within two weeks,” the company said.
The FDA promised to announce plans next week that would allow, among other things, the import of formula produced overseas.
The FDA currently bans most foreign infant formula, including products made in Europe, not because of health concerns but due to labeling and packaging standards.
“We believe these and other ongoing efforts will help dramatically improve the supply in the
US in a mater of weeks,” FDA head Robert Califf said Friday on Twiter.
US President Joe Biden also said it “will be a mater of weeks or less” to start fully refilling shelves.
He said that stock levels in stores had begun to stabilise this week.
According to the data collection agency Datasembly, as of Tuesday, 43 per cent of the usual formula supply was out of stock, up 10 per cent from the April average.