Baby Formula Shortage

The baby formula shortage in the United States intensified in 2021 due to supply chain disruptions. In February 2022, the situation became more challenging after an infant formula recall from Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan. This formula shortage has raised many concerns as it relates to public health, and puts significant stress on parents looking for reliable formula products for their infants. 

Why Was There a Baby Formula Shortage? 

The baby formula shortage in the United States was exacerbated by a voluntary recall by Abbott Nutrition, a prominent baby formula manufacturer. This recall was announced on Feb. 17, 2022, and affected powdered infant formula products that were produced at the company’s Sturgis, Michigan facility—it most notably affected brands such as Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum.

The reason for the February recall stemmed from reports of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport. By October 2022, Abbott issued another recall, this time concerning a limited number of its “ready-to-feed” liquid formula products. Abbott Laboratories, however, indicated that this would not affect the formula supply in the United States.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf highlighted the vulnerabilities inherent in the “just in time” distribution systems. These systems, while cost-effective due to their low inventory approach, have rendered the formula manufacturing and supply processes more susceptible to disruptions.

What to do if You’re Affected by a Baby Formula Shortage

In light of the baby formula shortage in the United States, parents should exercise caution and stay informed. If you’re ever struggling to find your infant’s formula, particularly if they rely on a specialized formula like hydrolyzed or elemental formulas, it’s essential to talk to your health care provider. They may be able to give you information about alternative sources or suggest suitable substitutes.

For infants aged between 12 to 15 months, transitioning to solid food and a milk alternative—be it regular milk or a dairy substitute with adequate calcium—could be a viable option.

Here are further recommendations to ensure your infant’s well-being during a formula shortage:

• Try a Different Formula: Gradually introduce a different brand or a generic version of the same formula type. Observe your baby’s reactions, noting that minor gastrointestinal disruptions can occur during this change.
• Avoid Buying Formula Online: Steer clear of purchasing formula online because the FDA doesn’t routinely inspect these products. However, if you acquire FDA-endorsed imported formula, be sure to accurately convert measurements from milliliters to fluid ounces.
• Try a Mothers Milk Bank: Discuss the possibility of sourcing breast milk from a milk bank with your pediatrician. Opt for those affiliated with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.
• Don’t DIY or Dilute: Do not make homemade formula or dilute formula with water. It can be very dangerous for your baby. 
• Use Age-Appropriate Formula: Toddler formula isn’t appropriate for babies younger than one year.
• Watch for NEC Symptoms: If your baby exhibits severe illness symptoms after consuming formula, contact your health care provider immediately. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a grave gastrointestinal issue that primarily affects premature infants. There’s a documented association between NEC and baby formula in preterm babies, which has led to legal action in cases where premature infants were diagnosed with NEC due to formula consumption.

When Did the Baby Formula Shortage End? 

Under the direction of President Biden’s administration, measures were implemented to address the infant formula shortage in the United States. Key actions included the safe resumption of operations at the Abbott Nutrition facility, utilization of the Defense Production Act, and the importation of European baby formula to supplement domestic supplies.

By September 2022, Abbott Laboratories was making headway in restoring its normal production rate of baby formula product. Nonetheless, a press release and associated press articles indicated that parents in certain regions of the U.S. continued to struggle with the formula shortage.

Dr. Califf pointed to “distribution inefficiencies” as a main reason for the absence of formula on some shelves. However, there was growing optimism *backed by evidence) that the formula shortage was becoming less pronounced. It was projected that formula supply would return to levels observed before the recall by early 2023.

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