The new warning about baby formulas is threatening to increase the strain on already exhausted supplies, making desperate parents scrambling.
After complaints from four infants who fell ill and had to be admitted to hospitals in three states, the FDA announced Thursday that they are working with Abbott Nutrition to initiate a voluntary recall on certain lots Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered baby formula. One of these deaths may have been caused by the contaminated formula.
The internal records of Abbott “indicate the environmental contamination with cronobacter sakazakii, and the destruction of product by the presence of cronobacter,“, the FDA stated in a release.
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“Retained samples from the formula were negative for any bacteria and no distribution product has tested positive for the existence of either of these bacteria,” Ellen Wichman, an Abbott spokesperson said in an email.
Parents who have been seeing their shelves empty of formula for months due to unanticipated demand and labor shortages are now more concerned about the recall and warning.
Michelle Perruzzi (30), a courtroom monitor and mother of two from Fairfield County in Connecticut, has been driving every single day for four months between seven local stores to search the shelves for Alimentum formula to feed Alejandro, her 7-month-old son.
She said, “It’s been really difficult.” “Every time we tried to find it, the shelf was empty.” “If we were lucky, there would be one or two cans.” This is a critical situation because Alejandro and Alejandro have an allergy to formulas, making it difficult for them to continue breastfeeding.
She has taken to texting and calling friends out of town, and posted in local parent Facebook groups. Six cans were for sale at Walmart one time. They were gone by the time she entered her credit card details.
Perruzzi said, “That was when I freaked out most.” “It’s insanity.”
Growing disruption
According to market research firm IRI Worldwide, the out-of-stock level of baby formula was around 5% before the pandemic. Anything higher than 10 percent is alarming.
According to Datasembly, a consumer product data firm, baby formula out-of-stock quickly rose to 25% in February from 11% in December. This was according to an analysis done by Datasembly at the request of NBC News.
Datasembly CEO Ben Reich said that it had looked at over 11,000 stores. He said that they looked at 200+ baby formula products, which are commonly sold at top 20 national and regional retailers. This included the three largest national grocery chains.
Reich stated, “Particularly for areas such as Florida and New Jersey the average is between 40% and 43% which means lots empty shelves among a variety of stores in the baby aisles.”
Enfamil apologised to its customers for complaining about shortages on Twitter in November and December. It stated that some of its products would not be in stock “due to high demands” for “an extended time.”
Pointing fingers
The Infant Nutrition Council of America is an industry trade association representing top formula manufacturers. It has highlighted general supply chain issues that affect all manufacturers, including transportation, labor, and logistical snarls.
The group stated that infant formula manufacturers were actively working with distributors, retailers, state agencies, and suppliers to ensure access to infant formula products. This is to address the immediate needs of all babies.
The formula makers claim that the product has been delivered. The Wall Street Journal reported that retailers aren’t getting the product to shelves and stores. Retailers claim that manufacturers may be having trouble sourcing raw ingredients and there have been reports of stockpiling.
Matt Blanchette, spokesperson for CVS, stated that product supply issues are currently affecting most of the retail sector. “We are continuing to work closely with our national brands baby formula vendors to resolve this issue, and we apologize for any inconvenience our customers may experience.”
Datasembly reports that 60 percent of the shortfall is attributable to Enfamil, Similac and Similac.
According to a spokesperson, Abbott, the manufacturer of Similac has increased its round-the-clock work hours and is now making more formula than ever before.
Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Enfamil, spoke out to say that the company is increasing production and shipping 30% more product to meet the growing demand.
We are currently facing an unusual supply-demand picture. Martinne Geller, a spokesperson for the US IFCN (infant nutrition/infant formula) category, stated in an email that consumer demand has been especially strong relative to births, historical consumption patterns, and other factors. There are many reasons this could be, such as parents making sure they have enough stock despite larger concerns about supply chain issues.
Bloomberg reported that the company was looking at selling the Enfamil unit in February.
According to Ryan Closer, FourKites’ director of supply chain collaboration, “Increasing birth rates will drive demand higher. It’s going to prove harder for companies to map it out” and keep production ahead, said Ryan Closer.
Closer said that difficulties in hiring could also hinder production and distribution.
“Job openings can be found everywhere. There is no doubt that if you visit grocery stores or restaurants, where 2 out of 15 cashier lanes are open, there will be a labor shortage. He said that this could have an impact on all of it.”
Solutions
Parents can do a few things to help get around the shortage. Parents can switch brands provided the formula is the same, dairy-based or not, said Dr. Katie Lockwood of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
She advised against changing bases like switching from soy milk to dairy. Lockwood warned against watering formula down, using expired formula or making your own.
“Formula” is a complicated product. Lockwood stated that it is a complex balance between having enough nutrients and water. “Too much water can cause brain damage in some children, and too little can lead to serious health problems.” This delicate balance is best achieved by a chemist.
Parents can reach out to their pediatrician to request a manufacturer’s special shipment. They can also contact the company’s customer support line to request supplies. Another option is donor milk. This can be obtained through a milk bank, or a prescribing doctor.
You can also ask your local store manager when formula will be restocked. This will help you plan your trips for those days. Many families also resort to social media to find deals or swaps.
Supplies may be available at food banks, women’s shelters, and faith-based organizations providing food assistance.
Perruzzi and her panic-stricken children are now at their breaking point. Perruzzi even tried calling the local distribution center for the baby formula only to be disconnected.
She said, “I would rather pay $60, $80 per can” than let her son go hunger. “I would pay any price.”
