The U.S. baby formula shortage appears to be growing worse and may remain that way for some time.
According to Datasembly, a retail tracking firm, almost 50% of baby formula supplies in the United States were out of supply by the end of April. This compares to 31% at the beginning of April.
Here’s what Ben Reich, CEO of Datasembly, said in a statement:
“Unfortunately, we don’t see this slowing down any time soon. 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.”
In total, 26 states have out-of-stock percentages ranging from 40% to 50%. Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota had the highest shortages, with out-of-stock rates of 50 percent or higher.
Some metro locations have rates that are significantly higher. Out-of-stock rates in San Antonio, Texas, have risen to 57 percent, while rates in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, have risen to 52 percent. Out-of-stock rates are at 50% in Houston and Des Moines, Iowa.
The shortages are partly attributable to a recall by Abbott Nutrition, a major maker of baby formula, earlier this year. After reports of contaminated formula connected to the deaths of at least two newborns, the FDA and the CDC shut down a key manufacturing plant in Michigan and launched an investigation.
Certain batches of Abbott’s powdered infant formula brands Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare were included in the recall.
“The unprecedented scope of this infant formula recall has serious consequences for babies and new parents,” Brian Dittmeier, JD, the senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, told The New York Times.
The National WIC Association is a non-profit organization that educates and supports women and children in the United States. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children of the Food and Nutrition Service (WIC), according to him, Abbott Nutrition is the sole supplier for more than half of the WIC organizations in the country.
“Unlike other food recalls, shortages in the infant formula supply affects a major – or even exclusive – source of nutrition for babies,” Dittmeier said.
In a report by the CNN Business, major shops such as CVS, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart continue to limit formula purchases to three to five units per transaction. Customers are posting pictures of empty store shelves and signage with restrictions on social media.
Abbott said in a statement in mid-April that it was attempting to enhance supply by concentrating formula manufacturing at other locations and importing formula from Europe. The business informed CNN Business on Saturday that it is working with the FDA to reopen the Michigan plant.
“We continue to make progress on corrective actions and will be implementing additional actions as we work toward addressing items related to the product recall,” Abbott said.
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Sources: Breitbart, Bloomberg, Nbcnews
