The baby formula shortage may no longer be grabbing the headlines in the United States in the past month, but some concerned DMV parents are still finding empty shelves in stores in their area.
It has already been months since the baby formula shortage became a nationwide crisis. The problem was compounded by supply chain issues and a voluntary recall by formula maker Abbott back in February.
The uncertainty still lingers for local parents like Erin Meter, who just gave birth to twins four months ago. That was certainly the case back in May when D.C.-based Datasembly found that 43 percent of the formula was out of stock in the country.
Baby formula shortage still a problem for some parents in the country
The formula shortage had eased some by September, but Information Resources Inc. found that 21 percent of powdered infant formula was still out of stock in the first week of the month. Online trackers showed that many formula products are still out of stock halfway through October, suggesting that the shortage is far from over.
Meter told ABC 7 in the interview that the shortage is not over. She said that it is still not over for her until she can go to the store and consistently buy a can of formula. And right now, she can't do that.
She added that virtually everywhere she goes, the shelves have maybe a couple of cans or the limit of two per customer. Meter said that with her having twins, even if she gets the large, wholesale-style packages, that lasts her just ten days at the most.
With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowing the importation of certain foreign infant formula products, and the Biden administration funneling formula into the states through its "Operation Fly Formula" program, the shortage problem is steadily improving.
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Baby formula shortage can never be allowed to happen again in the U.S.
For moms like Meter, however, this problem can never be allowed to happen again. She said that when one organization goes down and the entire system collapses, that is a big problem, and she is glad it was exposed.
The formula shortage can even be more of a burden for low-income moms who may not have the time or resources to search for the much-needed goods.
When it seemed the problem was easing, Abbott Laboratories announced on Friday, October 14, that it is recalling certain lots of 2 fluid ounce/59-milliliter bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid formula for children and infants. The recall was initiated due to a problem with the bottle caps on some bottles that may not have been sealed completely.
That could result in spoilage, which according to the company, can cause stomach problems such as diarrhea or vomiting if consumed by a child, CNN reported.
