Many parents are looking for infant formula because of a combination of short-term and long-term problems that has affected most of America’s largest brands.
Millions of babies in the United States rely on formula, which is the only source of nutrition recommended for infants who are not exclusively breastfed.
Here is a look at what lies behind the problem, as well as the situation in the Canadian market.
What are the reasons?
Ongoing supply disruptions have been combined with a recent security breach, leaving many shelves in pharmacies and supermarkets bare.
The problems began last year as the COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in labor, transport and raw materials – problems across the economy that did not spare the formula industry. The inventory was further pressured by parents who were stockpiling during the COVID-19 blockade.
WATCH The White House is aware of the problem, trying to organize workarounds:
Stores in the US are running out of baby formula amid withdrawal and supply disruptions
Increased demand, supply chains disrupted by the pandemic, and the withdrawal of baby powder formula issued by the US Food and Drug Administration in February have contributed to shortages across the country.
Then in February, Abbott Nutrition withdrew several major formula powder powders and closed its factory in Sturgess, Michigan, when federal officials began investigating four babies who suffered bacterial infections after consuming formula from the facility.
Abbott is one of the few companies to produce most of the formula in the United States, so their withdrawal has destroyed a large segment of the market.
What’s in infant formula?
Most formulas contain cow’s milk protein, which has been modified to make it easier to digest and enriched with additional nutrients needed for growth and development. The Food and Drug Administration sets specific dietary requirements, including minimum amounts of protein, fat, calcium and a number of vitamins. Formula manufacturers achieve these levels by adding various sugars, oils and minerals.
The formulas are designed to mimic breast milk, although studies have repeatedly shown better results for the health of breastfed babies.
Ashley Maddox of Imperial Beach, California, feeds her five-month-old son Cole with formula, which he bought through a group of needy mothers on Facebook. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
Why the formula is essential for many families
Health experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for babies up to six months of age. But federal data shows that only one in four relies solely on breast milk at that age.
Mothers face a number of challenges to long-term breastfeeding, including returning to work and finding the time and equipment needed to pump breast milk. About 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than planned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How US retailers are dealing with the situation
Several national chains have limited the number of containers that customers can buy in stores and online. For CVS and Walgreens, the limit is three per customer. Target limits purchases to four per person when shopping online.
Amazon said Thursday it is working to keep products available on its website and to monitor third-party vendors for rising prices.
Empty shelves show a shortage of baby formula and a notice of quantity restrictions at the CVS store in San Antonio, Texas on May 10. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal / Reuters)
“If we find a price that violates our policy, we remove the offer and take appropriate action with the seller,” a company spokesman said in a statement.
Is the situation the same in Canada?
For the most part not. Retailers here tell CBC News that they have not been hit so hard by the shortage, although a national spokesman for Canada’s Retail Council said he heard from a retailer struggling to maintain a stable supply of formula available from 2021
For Loblaw, the withdrawal affected his ability to store certain types of formula, but the company said it had found alternatives.
WATCH Supply gaps, but shortages are not as widespread in Canada:
The shortage of baby formula in the United States affects Canadian parents
The shortage of baby formula in the United States is beginning to affect Canadian stores and parents, especially those looking for special formulas.
As far as this is concerned, it seems mostly a challenge for parents of babies who need special formulas due to allergies, digestive problems and other medical conditions.
“Over the last few months, we’ve seen a drastic shortage of certain baby formulas,” said David Bannon, co-owner of Pharmaprix in Montreal, noting that the biggest concern is the hypoallergenic formula.
Although supply chains may be weak, Feiza Sahinyazan, a business assistant at Simon Fraser University, warns that panicking is not the answer, as it could only exacerbate the problem.
What politicians do
Usually 98% of baby formula consumed in the United States is produced in the country, according to federal officials.
The FDA is working with Abbott to correct the violations that led to the shutdown of the Michigan plant that produces Similac, EleCare and several other leading powder formulations. The company says its products are not directly linked to bacterial infections in children, noting that genetic samples collected from its factory do not match those found in several babies who became ill.
This will be a problem and will not go away for at least a few months – Dr. Stephen Abrams, a pediatrician at the University of Texas
US President Joe Biden on Thursday discussed with leaders Gerber and Reckitt how they could increase production and how his administration could help, the White House said. He also spoke with leaders from Walmart and Target about how to fill the shelves and address regional differences in access to formula.
The administration plans to monitor possible price increases and work with trading partners in Mexico, Chile, Ireland and the Netherlands on imports.
However, experts warn that many problems across the industry will continue to limit supplies.
“This will be a problem and will not go away for at least a few months,” said Dr. Stephen Abrams, a pediatrician at the University of Texas.
Advice is given to parents
Most ordinary baby formulas contain the same essential ingredients and nutrients, so parents should not hesitate to buy another brand if they have trouble finding the usual one.
The Associated Press spoke with Americans who connect with trusted friends and mothers in Facebook groups to get advice on where supplies are available or to share additional quantities. But health officials warn you not to buy formula through social media websites or outside of conventional retailers because they may be fake.
As it happens6: 46This mother does not know how to feed her baby, because the lack of formula rages
Daris Browning of California tells AIH guest host Helen Mann that she doesn’t have the four boxes of special baby formula she needs for her 10-month-old daughter.
Many recipes for adapted DIY formulas available on the Internet are not recommended because they may include cow’s milk and granulated sugar, which can be difficult for young babies to digest and generally lack the specific vitamins and proteins found. in FDA-approved formulas. Parents should also never dilute breast milk.
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