If you are a parent like myself who is struggling with finding formula for their baby, hope is on the horizon. On Tuesday May 10th, 2022, the FDA released an update. They stated that they were working to help alleviate our worries about how we were going to feed our babies. As many of you know, in February, there was a voluntary recall of certain Abbott brand formulas. The FDA states that the recall paired with supply chain shortages has led to the instability of the formula supplies many of us so desperately need.
I have been calling friends in other cities begging them to look at their local stores for the formula my son can tolerate. I know that being able to do that is a privilege some other mothers might not have. Thinking about mother’s not being able to feed their babies brings tears to my eyes.
If you are experiencing the inability to find baby formula, healthychildren.org, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics, encourages you not to panic, and offers these tips:
- Talk with your pediatrician – they might have connections to the local formula representatives or sample cans available, or they can suggest brand alternatives. You can also try your nearest WIC Program Linn County IA WIC Programs | WIC Programs in Linn County
- Check smaller stores and drugstores.
- Buy formula online if that is an option for you (but avoid auction sites or third-party sellers).
Visit HealthyChildren.org for more information and FAQs.
In the meantime, here is what is being done to increase the supply of baby formula according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
- Meetings with companies are being held to understand production capacity and opportunities to “increase product output, as well as prioritizing product lines that are of greatest need, particularly the specialty formulas.”
- They are using a food supply chain tool that developed during the pandemic to “monitor the status of the infant formula supply.”
- Data is being put together to understand the infant formula supply chain and identify areas of the greatest need.
- Working on streamlining distribution of FDA required certifications and using discretion on minor infractions in order to increase production rates and avoid additional interruptions.
- Encouraging companies to limit the amount of formula that parents can purchase at one time.
- They are working with Abbott to reopen the production plant that closed in February.
For more information, or to view the article that I gathered this information from, go to www.FDA.gov or call their consumer help line at 888-INFO-FDA.
SOURCES
Abrams, S. A. MD With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can’t find any? HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Are-there-shortages-of-infant-formula-due-to-COVID-19.aspx
FDA takes important steps to improve supply of infant and specialty formula products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-important-steps-improve-supply-infant-and-specialty-formula-products
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