Five months since crisis of infant formula began, parents like Julie Morgan are still desperate. Morgan’s 8-month-old daughter, Taytum, is lactose intolerant and needs a hypoallergenic formula, which is still hard to find.
“It’s almost impossible today,” Morgan told CBS News.
Morgan didn’t think the shortage would last that long.
“I thought it was clear because I had it as a two-month supply,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced progress to address the crisis, but the latest data show that nearly a third of powdered formula products are still depleted nationwide, according to research firm IRI market. Four companies are responsible for supplying about 90% of home formula for babies in the US
The FDA also announced an external review on crisis management by the agency.
“We’re working 24 hours a day on this to make sure we have an adequate supply,” said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
Under Operation Fly Formula, the U.S. has asked international companies to ship tens of millions of cans of infant formula. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said he has recently paved the way to give these providers a permanent place in the US market.
“Here, too, we want to change politics,” Becerra said. “The industry was allowed to be short and we can’t afford it, especially with the specialized formula.”
The shortage began when one of the major U.S. suppliers, Abbott, closed its largest plant in February due to pollution. The Michigan facility is work againbut it could be at least two months before families receive the relief they need to keep their children fed.
Sarah Chamberlin’s daughter, Izzy, has an uncommon disorder and relies on a specialized formula for 70% of her nutrition. He said it has also been a struggle to find the formula.
“We have less formula than we did two months ago,” Chamberlin told CBS News.
- In:
- Baby formula
- Food and Drug Administration
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