Baby formula shortage puts parents across US in a bind
The manufacturer of Ashley Hernandez’s preferred baby formula for her two girls said it was out of stock on its website.
Listings on eBay showed it would cost her up to $120 for a single can.
So when she found a seller online offering 10 cans for $40 each, she expressed her desperation.
“I have two children,” Hernandez, 35, of Dallas, began her message. “I cannot find it. I can purchase this today. I can pay cash.”
Parents across the country are struggling to keep up with a nationwide shortage of baby formula — a problem worsened by a recent recall by Abbott Nutrition, a manufacturer of baby food. The recall came after at least four babies were hospitalized with bacterial infections, and two died after consuming its products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
“We know that our recent recall caused additional stress and anxiety in an already challenging situation of a global supply shortage,” Abbott said in a statement last month. “We are working hard to help moms, dads and caregivers get the high-quality nutrition they need for their babies.”
Now, several major retailers eager to preserve inventory are limiting how much baby formula their customers can buy.
The drugstore chain CVS said in a statement that “following supplier challenges and increased customer demand,” buyers will be limited to three baby formula products per purchase in stores and online.
Walgreens echoed that in a statement, saying it had also imposed a three-item limit in an attempt “to help improve inventory.” Target said it had a four-item limit online but no in-store limits. Costco had various caps on formulas listed on its website.
“The unprecedented scope of this infant formula recall has serious consequences for babies and new parents,” Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, said last week. The nonprofit provides nutritional assistance for women, infants and children across the country.
Dittmeier said Abbott Nutrition is the exclusive supplier for more than half of the WIC agencies nationwide, meaning that “this is not an isolated issue.”
In retail stores, shelves are often empty.
“It’s a nightmare,” Hernandez said.
Dittmeier said that “unlike other food recalls, shortages in the infant formula supply affects a major source of nutrition for babies.”
Inadequate nutrition, he added, “could have longterm health implications.”
Datasembly, a retail software company, said that about 31% of formula products were out of stock across the country as of April.
In seven states — Connecticut, Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington — the rate for the week of April 3 was even worse, at 40%.
The shortage is also burdening families grappling with inflation.
The office of the U.S. Surgeon General said on its website that families typically spend up to $1,500 on infant formula in the first year.