Nationwide, 31% of formulas are sold out. Large chain retailers have been putting a limit on the amount someone can purchase to keep hoarding to a minimum. Shelves are bare right here in my hometown. People are spending hours driving around on the hunt for the type of formula their baby needs. This cannot be sustained by already weary parents especially as gas prices are at an all-time high!

One reason for this formula shortage is the recent contamination of powdered formulas made by Abbott Nutrition. Check your Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare cans to see if they were a part of the recall here. These contaminated formulas have harmed babies and must be thrown away. And always check your expiration dates on the bottom of the cans.

Supply & Demand

Supply chain shortages and inflation is something we are all feeling in the U.S. and sadly this is a huge reason for the formula shortage. At the beginning of the pandemic, people began stockpiling items, including baby formula, which created a huge surge in demand and supply went way up. As people went through their stash purchasing went way down. This made production predications tricky and top that with rising inflation and an aluminum shortage and there is no a big issue with supply. There is also apparently an aluminum shortage that is contributing to this issue.

Trade policies and regulations

The former administration entered into a new North American Free Trade Agreement that worked to actively discourage formula imports from our largest trading partner, Canada. This is causing problems with importing more formula.

Even those formulas from Europe that DO meet the FDA standards are restricted from import. And parents trying to purchase from Europe, regardless of the laws, have had their product seized by customs after they have paid a large price tag and extra tax (up to 17%) and they have lost their money and have no formula to show for it.

Remember back in 2018, when the US was opposed to the World Health Organization Breastfeeding Resolution? Yet another example of lack of support and big money lobbying spent to undermine breastfeeding. Again, more barriers to breastfeeding means more formula feeding and more demand for a product that is unavailable yet detrimental.

When will the shelves be restocked?

We are learning that it may take as long as 6-10 weeks before we are seeing more formula stocked on the shelves. And the first round of restocks will be for more specialized formula milks for babies who do not tolerate regular formula. This is a long time to wait for people who are desperate now.

Find out more about Bonnie Logsdon, IBCLC and her services at Bonnie Knows Breast.