President Joe Biden is offering formula makers and retailers transportation and logistical support to ease national shortages as the administration works to get the nation’s largest plant back online after it was shut down earlier this year for security issues.
President Joe Biden is offering formula manufacturers and retailers transportation and logistical support to ease a nationwide shortage of baby formula as the administration works to restart the largest national plant after it was closed earlier this year due to security concerns.
The White House said it is working with major formula producers to boost production, including reaching out to their suppliers to encourage them to prioritize the production and delivery of formula ingredients. This comes at a time when the Biden administration has come under intense pressure over the past week to do more to alleviate formula shortages that have forced parents to go to great lengths to feed their children. .
The shortage stems from the February withdrawal of Abbott, the nation’s largest formula maker, which closed the company’s plant in Michigan and exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on store shelves across much of the country. The shortage has prompted retailers such as CVS and Target to limit the number of bottles customers can buy per visit and has forced some parents to swap and sell formula online.
Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Robert Califf commented that the federal agency is “working closely with Abbott” to reopen the factory that was closed in Michigan and anticipates that “in a very short period we will have an announcement about the way to follow”.
Speaking on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday, Califf said the import of baby formula from abroad will be announced soon, noting that the key is to make sure formula instructions are in languages that people understand. mothers and caregivers can understand.