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Why Is There a Baby Formula Shortage?
As of May 2022 the United States is in a significant baby formula shortage. This began in July 2021 when in-store stocks started to decrease due to supply chain issues from COVID lockdowns, labor shortages, driver shortages for deliveries, and ingredient shortages in the food supply chain. It all got
much worse in February of this year when Abbott, one of the leading manufacturers of formula in the US, instituted a voluntary recall due to four cases of infection in babies,
resulting in two deaths. Here’s how to check if your supplies at home were affected by the recall.
Who Makes Formula and Who Regulates It?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has strict regulations on who, what, and how you can make baby formula. Domestic production is easiest because, with foreign production, manufacturers have to jump through many more hoops to get them approved. Four manufacturers make up over 90% of US supplies. They include Abbott (Similac), Nestlé (Gerber), Mead Johnson (Enfamil), and Perrigo (generic brands). Abbott has recently done a complete review of its manufacturing and has concluded infections were not coming from the formula. The FDA may be authorizing them to reopen soon within the next few weeks. However, it will be several months before that has a significant impact on formulas in stock on the grocery store shelves.
How Can You Find Baby Formula?
You have several options:
- Change brands which is usually okay
- Ask your pediatrician for formula samples
- Check with your local WIC agency
- Transition to whole milk if your baby is near one year of age
- Shop at smaller local stores whose supply chain differs from big box stores
- Check online mom groups for local resources
Online shopping might have supplies, but that may have delivery delays as well. When shopping online, ensure that the manufacturing is done in the United States and not in another country. If your baby is over six months, you can add in more solid foods. That does NOT include raw honey. Kraft Heinz is a brand that you may not think of (I have no affiliation with them). They have been making baby foods for decades, but sell primarily solid foods.
What Not To Do
DO NOT make your own formula. This can be hazardous for many reasons, including not instilling enough calories for your baby or mixing up the wrong electrolyte ratios; this is dangerous. Y
DO NOT dilute the formula you have at home just to stretch it. That would result in inadequate nutrition for your baby.
DO NOT hoard baby formula when you find it, despite the urge to do so. It would keep vital nutrition away from another baby in need.
This Too Will Pass
This is a tough time for many families; it may take significant effort to find what you need and cost more money than before. Check in with local food banks or a church in your neighborhood. Recruit family and friends to help you find these other resources. You don’t need to go this alone.
Hang in there; this too shall pass.
To Your Good Health and That of Your Baby,
Kevin McCurry, MD
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