FDA to help foreign baby formula makers sell their products beyond current shortage
07/08/2022 // Ramon Tomey // Views

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to assist foreign companies who manufacture baby formula in marketing their products beyond the current domestic shortage.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the regulator is developing a new framework to allow global baby formula makers to stay in the U.S. market. This framework will involve "technical assistance" to companies wanting to enter the infant formula market. It is planning to hold meetings in the summer with these firms to help determine the necessary steps and ensure zero supply issues.

The FDA also plans to issue guidelines in September 2022 for companies permitted to import or sell infant formula.

"The change could help strengthen the formula supply chain after it was found to be vulnerable to disruptions," said the WSJ, noting that the baby formula shortages "exposed the vulnerabilities in the more than $4 billion U.S. market for baby formula." The publication added that the FDA's proposal "could also be a boon for manufacturers overseas that have been eager to enter the U.S., while injecting more competition into the concentrated market."

FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Director Susan Mayne said the agency "expects that [its] continued efforts will help infant formula manufacturers who are new entrants to the U.S. market better understand their options to continue producing and supplying formula to the U.S. in the weeks, months and years ahead."

Supply chain snags caused by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused the initial shortage of baby formula. However, the temporary closure of an Abbott Laboratories plant in Sturgis, Michigan that manufactures baby formula added fuel to the fire.

Brighteon.TV

The February 2022 shutdown and subsequent product recall stemmed from the death of an infant who consumed formula tainted with Cronobacter sakazakii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Operations at the Sturgis plant resumed operations in June 2021, albeit under FDA supervision.

Biden administration flying in formula from overseas

The combination of regulations blocking international brands from entering the market and Washington's role as the biggest formula buyer via the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children has restricted the flexibility and competition required to overcome the shortages.

Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said the federal government "is working with manufacturers around the clock to ensure parents have the formula they need to feed their infants." He added: "We will pursue all available options until we have stabilized the infant formula supply in the United States."

Importing infant formula from overseas through Operation Fly Formula was among these measures. Back in May 2022, President Joe Biden announced that 27.5 million cans of formula from Australia would be flown in to address supply snags. The formula from Bubs Australia is using goat's milk instead of cow's milk.

"I've got more good news: 27.5 million [cans] of safe infant formula manufactured by Bubs Australia are coming to the United States. We're doing everything in our power to get more formula on shelves as soon as possible," Biden tweeted at the time.

Later, Biden announced additional shipments of formula from the Land Down Under. In a July 6 press release, Washington announced that the two flights would transport infant formula from Bubs Australia to Ontario, California on July 10 and Columbus, Ohio on July 21. The two deliveries, amounting to approximately 318,000 pounds of baby formula from the Australian firm, would be sold "through national and regional retailers."

"Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. By July 10, Operation Fly Formula will have transported more than 43 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the United States," said the statement.

FDA.news has more stories about the regulator's actions amid the baby formula shortage.

Watch "American Journal" host Harrison Smith explaining how the FDA shut down the Sturgis plant below.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

WELFARE NATION: More than half of US-born babies are eligible for WELFARE benefits, including food assistance.

Biden finally addresses baby formula shortage, but it's already too late: out-of-stock rates have soared to 74%.

Biden sends baby formula to illegals at border while grocery stores run dry.

Worsening baby formula SHORTAGE hits ten states, low-income families.

FDA, Abbott Labs both to blame for the ongoing baby formula shortage.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

CDC.gov

MSN.com

WhiteHouse.gov

Brighteon.com



Take Action:
Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NaturalNews.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.
App Store
Android App
eTrust Pro Certified

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
Natural News uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.