Baby formula shortage now the subject of a congressional investigation

Some families in desperate need of baby formula are being forced to take drastic steps to feed their babies, as retailers fear that the shortage may continue until the end of year.

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#GMA #BayFormulaShortage #BabyFormula

[barbararoberts]

I Googled "baby formula shortage" and learned that a major plant was shut down due to contamination by a bacteria called Cronobacter. Many infants fell ill and 2 even died. The plant voluntarily recalled all of it's product off of shelves, which immediately created a supply problem. The factory is said to be reopening in 2 weeks. Things should return to normal a few weeks after that.

[naiiago]

It doesn't sit right with me that they are telling parents not try to make their own, like there aren't decent recipes out there. Like sitting around and waiting for their babies to starve is better.

[joannadiaz]

I think stores should start taking names and phone numbers of ppl who want to know when the baby formula is in stock. A simple call, text or voicemail saying “Your child’s baby formula has been restocked” will help us mothers know which stores to go to. Saving on gas and heartbreak at seeing an empty shelf.
I hurt me knee pushing a stroller up and down hill baby formula hunting. It’s a nightmare for those who don’t have a car :(

[autumnstar]

Very sad situation. Sometimes moms can’t produce enough milk, and breastfeeding isn’t as easy as it sounds. I should know. But what really gets me is the ignorance of some people who say just breastfeed...if you’ve never dealt with this situation don’t talk. Some say use powdered milk or give whole milk...you have to remember there are more preservatives and bs added to things nowadays as compared to 40 years ago. When covid hit 2 years ago I remember a story about a young mom crying because there were no diapers left on shelves and she had babies at home. What did people do, comment and said suck it up buttercup and older women said “oh I used cloth diapers for my kids”.😖 like people such comments don’t help anyone immediately and it can be stressful to someone who doesn’t live in the dark ages. As if these women who used cloth diapers told their daughter and granddaughters to use cloth, I’m sure they used pampers. Same thing now..don’t just pass idiotic comments and say oh just breastfeed or tell everyone what you did 50 years ago. Most women now work, sometimes there’s no man in the picture, so yo the ignorant women who pass these comments, you’re not helping and men don’t even talk.

[mouselovemakesmehapy]

I'm so glad I chose to breastfeed. I just donated almost my whole stash, over 400oz.

[Dreaminclouds]

God bless the mothers and babies who don't or can't breastfeed😔

[connectustothecosmicfamily]

If I could donate I would. This is so hard to watch happen.

[dasse]

I'm so tired of hearing them say not to make your own formula while the babies are literally starving to death. What else are moms supposed to do at that point? Just sit there and watch them die? How about you actually come up with some alternative solutions. Like research safe ways to make your own formula at home. Freaking ridiculous

[themississippicottage]

Sending billions to Ukraine but we can't even take care out our own🙄

[deirdremorris]

This is a MANufactured issue. There is more than enough money to clean the plants and keep up perfect levels if management.

[tiffanyjohnson]

My mom told me that if a woman couldn’t breastfeed back in the day they used carnation milk and Karo syrup. Make your own milk it’s better than your baby starving if you don’t want to breastfeed

[istrangestudiosent.]

I ended up having to start giving my daughter whole milk a month earlier than I wanted. It was so hard finding formula. Every time I changed my wic to a formula I could get they would run out. My lil one.doesnt need it now she just turned 1 in april so the pediatrician and wic put her on just solids and milk and water but for several months we struggled with finding formula. Other moms are still needing it. This is ridiculous! They need to fix this or babies will starve. I was one of the unlucky moms who couldnt breastfeed. I tried but never had enough milk. It was like that with both my kids. I also didnt have the money to find breastmilk to buy. We only had enough for diapers and wipes and small essentials. I cant imagine having to go through this shortage for longer than we did. I feel so terrible for the moms and babies out there that still need formula. I wish I could help.😔

[Jibbie]

I read that the supply is actually only down about 20%, but people are hoarding it, like they did toilet paper and when the shortage story about the closed factory in Michigan first came out, people ran to buy it up and resell it on Craigslist, etc. like they did $90 hand sanitary solution. I see now they have a limit of only 5 per customer at Walmart.

[Spucky]

There are 50 states, plus US territories. That means thousands and thousands of stores. The amount of formula sent to the border is tiny fraction of what should be in stores.
I agree that there needs to be an investigation of how the situation got so dire, and why manufacturers didn't send up a warning.
The government monitors for safety, not quantity. Some overpaid corporate executives should have seen this coming.

[Rumiluminarie]

So.... Formula manufacturer(s) ended up producing recall formula, FDA stopped them, tell them to fix the issue... And now no formula on the shelf?!? what is this industry? Monopoly?! And now the government is responsible for fixing this problem?!??

[seethrough]

It’s partially because of the high tariff we have been having for baby formula imports. Including 🇨🇦!
Lack of competition is a major root cause!

[kj]

A lot of people are saying just breast feed but is not always possible. Sometime woman cannot produce the supply to Nourish their child. And they have to supplement with formula. Also in the US maternity leave is short. How can you breast feed and then return to work 6-8 weeks and pump as often as you need to? I know a lot of people do but it’s not easy. I pray this all gets better soon 😔

[FVWhimsy]

Ummm...people CAN make their own formula. It's what folks did BEFORE corporations took over our food supply.

[CharGC]

This is so suspicious and wrong. Why aren't they recommending safe alternatives like the dilute condensed milk + formulas earlier generations used before commercial formulas were being pushed?

[faithboothman]

The market would recover quicker from a shut down from contamination if there was no monopoly.🤷‍♀️