Is the US infant formula shortage an avoidable crisis?

Abstract

Since February, 2022, there has been an acute shortage of commercial milk formula in the USA. This shortage is the result of the recall of several products manufactured by Abbott Nutrition, the largest manufacturer of infant formula in the USA, due to bacterial contamination and shutdown of their Michigan plant. 1 Jewett C Bogel-Burroughs N F.D.A. chief details “shocking” conditions at baby formula plant. The New York Times. May 25, 2022; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/health/fda-baby-formula-shortage.htmlDate accessed: May 25, 2022 Google Scholar The out-of-stock rate for commercial milk formula reached 43% for the week ending May 8, 2022, and in six states more than half of infant formula was sold out. 2 DatasemblyDatasembly releases latest numbers on baby formula. https://datasembly.com/news/latest-numbers-on-baby-formula/Date: 2022 Date accessed: May 25, 2022 Google Scholar Desperate parents face huge uncertainty and hungry, crying babies. Socioeconomically vulnerable families are hardest hit by this crisis, because Abbott Nutrition is the main supplier of commercial milk formula to low-income families in the USA through state benefit programmes, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). About half of infant formula nationwide is purchased by participants using WIC benefits; therefore, this shortage poses a direct threat to the health and survival of these most nutritionally vulnerable infants. 3 The White HouseFact sheet: President Biden announces additional steps to address infant formula shortage. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/Date: May 12, 2022 Date accessed: May 13, 2022 Google Scholar