Why is there a baby-formula shortage? What to know and what’s being done about it

With more than 20 per cent of powdered baby milk out of stock in early May, manufacturers are boosting production while others are relying on shipments from Europe.

Shelves normally meant for baby formula sit nearly empty at a store in downtown Washington, DC in May. Picture: Samuel Corum / AFP

Baby formula is hard to find.

Nationwide, 21 per cent of powdered baby formula was out of stock in early May, according to the latest figures from research firm IRI.

The shortage, caused by a mix of supply-chain issues and a recall, has led to empty shelves at some stores, product restrictions and panic among parents and caregivers searching for formula to feed their babies.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why is there a shortage of baby formula?

There are a few reasons for the shortage. Supply-chain issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have made baby formula harder to find for months. The shortage worsened after Abbott Laboratories, a major formula manufacturer, voluntarily recalled some products and closed a plant in Sturgis, Michigan, where Similac and its other brands were made. Panic buying as news spread of the shortage may also be an issue.

Why was the formula recalled?
The Food and Drug Administration investigated consumer complaints related to four infants who were hospitalised, two of whom died. A fifth complaint was also filed, but the FDA said there wasn’t enough information available to definitively link the illness to the recalled formula.

The agency said cronobacter sakazakii, a germ that can be deadly in infants, was detected in the Sturgis plant, but not in the products. The FDA said in a statement that findings during its inspection raised concerns that powdered formula made at the Sturgis plant carried a risk of contamination.

Abbott said in a May 16 statement that after reviewing available data, “there is no conclusive evidence to link Abbott’s formulas to these infant illnesses.”

Nonetheless, Abbott Laboratories CEO Robert Ford said the voluntary recall was the right thing to do in a Washington Post op-ed on May 22.

“The FDA’s investigation did discover a bacteria in our plant that we will not tolerate. I have high expectations of this company, and we fell short of them,” he wrote. “We will not take risks when it comes to the health of children.”

When could Abbott reopen its Sturgis plant?

Abbott said on May 11 that it could resume production within two weeks, pending approval from the FDA. It plans to first start making specialty formulas, such as those for babies with rare metabolic diseases.Mr Ford said in his op-ed the Sturgis plant would reopen in early June.

How could that affect the shortage?

It would take six to eight weeks after restarting production at the Sturgis plant before Abbott’s formula starts showing up on store shelves, the company said. That means the shortage could last months.

“When we are operating our Michigan facility at full capacity, we will more than double our current production of powdered infant formula for the United States,” Mr Ford wrote in his op-ed. “By the end of June, we will be supplying more formula to Americans than we were in January before the recall.”

Meanwhile, he said, the company is putting baby formula production ahead of all its other adult products at its Ohio plant.

What do I do if I can’t find formula for my child?

If you’re running low and can’t find formula, ask your pediatrician’s office. They may have samples they can give you. When out shopping, look beyond big national chains and try smaller stores that you may not normally stop at, said Dr Steven Abrams, a paediatrics professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Can I switch formulas?

Most babies that don’t have health issues can usually be switched to another brand of formula safely, said Dr Bridget Young, an assistant professor at University of Rochester Medical Center. She suggested parents and guardians check to make sure the ingredients are the same on the label to reduce the chances of causing an upset stomach. If you aren’t sure which formula to switch to, she said, check with your baby’s doctors.

What if my baby needs specialty formula?

Parents or caregivers of babies who have health issues and require hypo-allergenic or need specialty formulas should check with their doctors first before making any switches. The FDA said in April that Abbott can give out formulas designed for babies with metabolic diseases and other health conditions on a case-by-case basis. The formulas, which often require a prescription, are made at the company’s Sturgis plant but aren’t part of the recall. The agency said the health risk of babies not having specialty formulas could outweigh the potential risk of bacterial infection. An Abbott spokeswoman said the products have been tested. Parents and caregivers have to call Abbott to be considered.

What are formula makers doing to get more formula on shelves?

Abbott said it is working to increase Similac production at other FDA-registered facilities and shipping formula from Europe by air.

Reckitt Benckiser, which makes formula brand Enfamil, said it is running its factories seven days a week to get more formula to stores.

Gerber owner Nestlé said it would fly extra baby formula into the US from Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Are stores limiting how much formula can be bought?

Yes. Pharmacy chains Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health, for example, are limiting shoppers to three baby formula products per purchase. Kroger said it is restricting customers to four baby formula products at its supermarkets. Target said it has set limits for purchases on its website, but not in stores. Walmart didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Can I make my own homemade formula?

No, making your own formula is dangerous and could cause severe illness or death in infants, said Dr. Abrams. Don’t feed infants cow’s milk or add more water to powdered formula to make it last longer, which can be harmful, he said.

What is the government doing about the shortage?

President Biden invoked the Defence Production Act on May 18 to increase production of baby formula and launched a program — called Operation Fly Formula — that would bring supplies by cargo plane that meets US. standards from overseas.

The first shipment arrived May 22 in Indiana, with more to follow, the White House said.

The FDA said on May 16 that it encouraged overseas manufacturers to apply to ship their formula to the US, easing rules that had effectively prevented these overseas shipments from previously happening.

These moves should allow more formula products to enter the U.S. baby market, which is dominated by Abbott, Reckitt and Nestlé’s Gerber business.

The announcement came after the FDA said on May 10 it was working with major manufacturers to produce more formula and streamline the process of importing certain formula from other countries.

The US typically produces the vast majority — 98 per cent — of the infant formula purchased by Americans, the White House has said.