By Amanda Moses
Elizabeth has been living in a constant state of stress and anxiety over purchasing baby formula for her seven-month-old baby, who was born a few weeks premature. For Elizabeth, nothing means more to her than ensuring that her daughter receives the proper nutrition. What began as slightly concerning inconvenience has transformed to a fear for her child’s health due to nationwide baby formula shortage.
On February 17th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning after certain powdered infant formula products in a facility were exposed to a bacteria outbreak from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis in Michigan. Many of these products, which are used to make Similac formula, were recalled. Coupled with the March 2020 COVID-19 pandemic induced shortages (quarantine procedures and economic downturn caused jobs to be lost and businesses to close) supplies are now extremely limited. According to Datasembly, a data-based retail tracker, the United States out-of-stock rate for infant and specialty formula reached 43% during the first week of May.
Elizabeth has been struggling with this shortage for months, but February’s recall sent shockwaves throughout households across the nation. Elizabeth and her husband say they find themselves driving around searching various grocery stores and pharmacies in an attempt to locate specialty baby formula. They even scour the internet every chance they get to place an order—which can cost a significant amount of money.
“My husband and I spend every night online trying to review which stores have the formula in stock. We’ve been trying to see if our baby can eat more of the solid food just so that we can save on formula. We’ve already switched formula twice and it was not an easy transition and now there are not many options left. We’ve been put in a difficult situation,” Elizabeth said, adding that she spends $80 on an Amazon order for a pack of formula that comes with 24 eight ounce bottles that will last only five days.
On May 12th, Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement ensuring New Yorkers that the state will provide support to families in need of baby formula.
“In close coordination with our federal partners, New York State will continue to do everything possible to support New York families in need of formula for their infants,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is committed to ensuring every newborn and child has access to the nutritional support they need to stay healthy. I urge every parent and guardian to take advantage of these resources and keep up to date with important information to take care of their families.”
According to the governor’s office, New Yorkers can utilize Wanda, the Department’s chatbot, to receive direct and accessible online navigation support through a “personal WIC assistant” to determine if their infant is eligible for WIC benefits.
Additionally, many stores and other suppliers are limiting the amount of formula purchased, to prevent the vital product from being hoarded. The governor’s office advises New Yorkers to contact their OBGYN or their pediatrician to inquire if the doctors have formula samples available or can suggest a formula that might be readily available in stores that meet their baby’s needs, contact New York State Women, Infants, and Childcare Office, and look online for other options.
The Governor’s office also warns against purchasing formula from an individual on social media or overseas, to not use toddler formula for infants, and not to water down formula or try to make your own. Be aware that the New York State Division of Consumer Protection has issued an alert reminding parents to be aware of scams and unscrupulous vendors.
On May 16th, the FDA announced that Abbott Laboratories will be able to reopen their baby formula plant in about two weeks; however, consumers will see more products on the shelves from production and distributions until about six to eight weeks.
Members of New York City Council’s Women’s Caucus have written a letter to Mayor Eric Adams imploring him to make executive orders to help address the baby formula shortage by allowing New Yorkers to purchase international and domestic formula products. Additionally, members of City Council also request that the city inspectors check stores for price gouging.
For more information about what New York State is doing to handle this situation, visit: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-resources-new-york-families-amid-infant-formula-shortages
Photo by Amanda Moses
