2022 United States infant formula shortage

Bare formula shelves with purchase limit notice, at a Safeway store in Monroe, Washington, in January 2022

In 2022, the United States experienced a severe shortage of infant formula as a result of the 2021–2022 global supply chain crisis compounded by a large scale product recall after two babies allegedly died after consuming Abbott infant formula,[1][2] import restrictions,[3][4] and market concentration.[5][6] Unlike other food products, infant formula often does not have an available and acceptable substitute as a source of nutrition for those who rely on it.[7][8] In addition to infants, the formula recalls affected non-infant medical patients who require nasogastric feeding[8][9] or have certain other conditions.[10][11][12]

On May 14, nationwide out-of-stock rates were reported to be 43%, up from 31% two weeks prior; by May 22, they had surged to 70%,[13] where they remained through the start of July.[14] (The Wall Street Journal states that the normal out-of-stock rate is 10%,[15] while other sources say that in the first half of 2021, out-of-stock rates were 2%-8%.)[16] In many places, store shelves were bare. Delaware, Kansas, and Tennessee were reported to be the hardest-hit states.[15] On May 27, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reported to the Senate Health Committee that shortages would continue into July.[17] Effects of the shortage were also felt in Canada.[18]

  1. ^ Thompson, Derek (May 12, 2022). "What's Behind America's Shocking Baby-Formula Shortage?". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  2. ^ Leonhardt, David (May 13, 2022). "The Baby Formula Crisis". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cato was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Vogell, Heather (August 21, 2024). "Facing a National Shortage of Baby Formula, Trade Officials Opposed a Plan to Boost Imports". ProPublica.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT_Creswell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Schneeman, Barbara O.; Cuff, Patricia; Delaney, Katherine M., eds. (2024). Challenges in Supply, Market Competition, and Regulation of Infant Formula in the United States. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-71896-7.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference TheCut was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b "Pediatricians warn parents against taking extreme measures amid baby formula shortage". WSOC TV. May 14, 2022. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "The baby formula shortage is getting worse; parents are desperate". www.kten.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Lopez, Monique (May 26, 2022). "Infants not the only ones impacted by formula shortage". WLUK-TV. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Marcoux, Heather (May 24, 2022). "I'm a 28-year-old woman and have maple syrup urine disease. The formula shortage could kill me". Insider. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. ^ Swenson, Kyle; Portnoy, Jenna (May 11, 2022). "U.S. baby formula shortage leaves parents scrambling". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Genovese, Daniella (May 27, 2022). "Baby formula shortage: Out-of-stock rates surge to 70%". Fox News.
  14. ^ Newman, Jesse (July 14, 2022). "Baby-Formula Shortage Deepens, Defying Replenishment Efforts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Stamm, Stephanie (May 14, 2022). "Baby Formula Shortage Stuns States Including Tennessee, Kansas and Delaware". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Latest Numbers on Baby Formula. Out-Of-Stock is now at 43%". Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  17. ^ Weixel, Nathaniel (May 26, 2022). "Formula shortage won't end until July, FDA chief says". The Hill. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference TimesColonist was invoked but never defined (see the help page).