Currents News Staff
Baby formula is getting harder and harder to find. Analysts say supply chain challenges, inflation and product recalls are all preventing formula from hitting store shelves. The FDA is paying close attention as it works with manufacturers to safely ramp up production.
“We’re very concerned about it and understand,” said Dr. Robert Califf, FDA Commissioner, “understand that it should be a concern that, moms and dads and grandparents, like me, we want this to get fixed.”
New data from “Datasembly” shows 40-percent of baby formula brands are out-of-stock. That’s a dramatic rise from the first half of 2021 when the rate was between 2 and 8-percent. The new data also shows these six states – Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Texas and Tennessee – that more than half of baby formula was completely sold out during the last week of April.
The situation has parents feeling helpless.
“There’s no answer,” said Samantha Cory, a mom to twins. “What are we supposed to do if we can’t find the formula?”
The supply is so low that CVS, Walgreens and Target are limiting purchases. Parents say those limited are making things even harder.
“So what am I doing?” asked Samantha. “I’m starting to hoard. I’m starting to scour, we’re going further out. I’m going to areas where I know that there’s a low population. What am I doing? You know, it’s unreal.”
Experts urge parents to be flexible and speak to their pediatricians about options, especially if they have kids with severe allergies that require special formulas.
“We want to make sure that families do not get desperate,” said Dr. Steven Abrams, the former chair on the AAP Committee on Nutrition, “and do things like start making formulas at home or buying formulas that are not properly vetted by the FDA.”