Europe to send emergency baby formula supplies to the United States

Following the recent deaths of at least two infants from a rare infection, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled several brands of baby formula, leading to a shortage in U.S. supermarkets.

Stockpiling and panic buying leads to shortage

A major producer of baby formula, Abbott, was investigated by the FDA, discovering traces of the pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii at its largest domestic plant in Michigan. Abbott is one of only four companies that produce approximately 90% of formula in the U.S., and its brands make up almost half that market.

As a result, parents have been panic buying other brands of baby formula, leaving supermarket shelves empty. The product was already in short supply due to supply chain issues and parents stockpiling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In numerous states, such as Texas and Tennessee, over half of formula is sold out. And across the U.S., 40% offormula is out of stock. As a result, retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, and Target have been forced to start limiting purchases.

Nestlé to the rescue

To help alleviate the shortage, Nestlé said on Tuesday in a statement to Reuters that it will fly Gerber baby formula from the Netherlands and Alfamino formula from Switzerland to the U.S.

The company said:

We prioritized these products because they serve a critical medical purpose as they are for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies.

Both products were already being imported but we moved shipments up and rushed via air to help fill immediate needs.

On Monday, Abbott reached an agreement with the FDA to restart production at the factory in Michigan. However, it is not known when production will restart. And, once production resumes, Abbott said it will be between six and eight weeks before new baby formula products will be shipped from the site and begin arriving in stores.

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