Bill Introduced to Prevent Future Infant Formula Shortages

"The bill would ensure that manufacturers timely inform the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about expected disruptions to the infant formula supply. The bill comes after there was a shortage of infant formula after Abbott Nutrition recalled its formula because bacteria was found to be living in the powdered formula.

'It seems inconceivable that we could have a baby formula shortage in 2022,' Rep. Schrier, M.D., said in a press release. 'This is preventable. Most babies, even those who are primarily breastfed, rely on formula. Baby formula is a little bit different from food in that babies under six months are nearly entirely dependent on it. In some ways, it makes it more like medicine than food. We need an early warning system for when formula supplies may be getting low so we can take the necessary action to prevent such a shortage from happening again.'"