Shortage of infant formula in the United States
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]
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Cite error: The named reference Cato
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Vogell, Heather (August 21, 2024). "Facing a National Shortage of Baby Formula, Trade Officials Opposed a Plan to Boost Imports" . ProPublica .
^ Cite error: The named reference NYT_Creswell
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ 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 .
^ Cite error: The named reference TheCut
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Genovese, Daniella (May 27, 2022). "Baby formula shortage: Out-of-stock rates surge to 70%" . Fox News .
^ Newman, Jesse (July 14, 2022). "Baby-Formula Shortage Deepens, Defying Replenishment Efforts" . The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved September 21, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ Cite error: The named reference TimesColonist
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).