The baby formula shortage in the United States is showing no signs of stopping, according to the most recent data from a retail tracking group. According to Datasembly, 40 percent of baby formula has been out of stock across America since April 24, up from 29 percent in March.
Datasembly CEO Ben Reich issued a statement on Monday, May 9, saying, "inflation, supply chain shortages and product recalls have continued to bring volatility to the category, and continues to be one of the most affected products in the market."
The supply chain shortages were prompted in part by the shutdown of a key baby formula production facility in Michigan this year, according to a report by the Guardian. The plant, which Abbott Nutrition owns, has been the subject of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation following reports of contaminated baby formula that was linked to the deaths of at least two infants.
Baby formula shortages are dangerous
Brian Dittmeier, the senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, an advocacy group for infants, children, and women, said in a statement that formula shortages are especially dangerous.
Dittmeier said that unlike other food recalls, shortages in the infant formula supply affect a major or even an exclusive source of nutrition for babies. He added that inadequate nutrition could have long-term health implications for babies.
According to NBC News, the states seeing the worst shortages include Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas. These states have out-of-stock rates of about 50 percent. A total of 26 states in the U.S. have out-of-stock rates of 40 to 50 percent.
Among metro areas, the out-of-stock rate in San Antonio has climbed to 57 percent, with Nashville and Memphis at 52 percent and Des Moines and Houston at 50 percent.
Poor moms and kids hit the hardest by baby formula shortage
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is calling on the Biden Administration and the FDA to take action on the baby formula shortage, saying that it is a national crisis and hitting poor moms and children the hardest.
An Abbott spokesperson shared a statement published on its website in response to a request for comment, saying that the company is working closely with the FDA to restart operations at the Sturgis, Michigan facility.
Abbott added that they are working in the meantime to increase the supply of infant formula by prioritizing infant formula production at their facilities that provide the product to the U.S. market.
A CVS representative confirmed that its stores are currently limiting customers to just three baby formula products per purchase to address the shortage. A representative for Target said that it now had some online ordering limitations in place, but not at in-person stores.
According to a report by the BBC, Walgreens has limited families to buying just three cans at a time, similar to other retailers.
