In February 2022, the FDA shut down Abbott Nutrition’s Michigan infant formula plant, a major supplier of infant formula in the US, because of bacterial contamination concerns. Since Abbott controls 90% of the formula market, this caused a severe national infant formula shortage, leaving millions of families scrambling to locate formula and alternative foods for babies, particularly those with special nutrition needs.
After the Abbott plant finally reopened in July, experts predicted that the shortage would ease that same month. Yet despite the efforts of the Biden administration, Congress, and the FDA to import and produce more formula, as of early August 2022, supply had not met or outpaced demand. Experts agreed that the shortage would take a lengthy amount of time to correct. As a result, many infants are at risk of malnutrition, poor development, and medical complications at the most critical point in the human life cycle.
The Shortage Reveals Socioeconomic Inequities
The greater significance of the infant formula shortage is the way that supply chain conflicts and shortages disproportionately impact vulnerable Americans. Low-income families, families of color, and rural families are most likely to rely on formula. Nearly half of all US formula is purchased by WIC participants; Black and Hispanic breadwinners, who were hardest hit by pandemic layoffs and the recession, are more likely to be in this group. These groups have less time and fewer means to search for formula; rural families have fewer retailers to draw from.
Strategies and Solutions
In order to protect socioeconomically and geographically disadvantaged Americans from shortages of essential supplies, federal authorities will need to do the following:
- Improve governmental capabilities for early detection and prevention of essential supply shortages
- Implement more comprehensive and inclusive national leave legislation to allow families to better care for infants
- Support workplace breastfeeding protections
- Revise federal and state Medicaid plans to cover more infant care necessities
In the meantime, every American can seek and support legislation that offers more equitable access to supplies and services for those most at risk during national shortages. You can also support nonprofits who help to distribute these to families in need every day.
Cristo Rey Helps Families in Need
Cristo Rey Community Center is a non-profit basic-needs service center that provides access to infant formula as well as food, medical care, and counseling programs to all our neighbors in need. Since 1968 we have been working to heal the sick, feed the hungry, protect and enrich children, engage and honor our elderly, and advocate for the most vulnerable in our community.
CRCC thrives on transparency and has a standing direct-line communication policy. Please contact us if you need to make an appointment for services.
It’s people like you that make Cristo Rey possible. Whether you enjoy giving your time, talent or treasures, you have something valuable to offer the Greater Lansing community. Please consider partnering with us in any of these ways today!
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