Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf says that parents will still face issues finding baby formula for at least another two months.
The Daily Wire reports:
The low supply of baby formula has been worsening for months, leading to multiple hospitalizations among children and elevated prices for parents. In testimony to the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Califf said that he expects a “gradual improvement up to probably somewhere around two months until the shelves are replete again,” according to CNBC.
Abbott Nutrition — which initiated a recall of several baby formula products from its Sturgis, Michigan, plant earlier this year — announced on Tuesday that it would restart work at the facility on June 4, CNN reported. Consumers will have access to batches of new formula around June 20.
The FDA found standing water, roof leaks, bacteria growths, and inadequate hygiene in Abbott’s plant. “We knew that ceasing plant operations would create supply problems but we had no choice given the insanitary conditions,” Califf told lawmakers.
In the meantime, President Biden is attempting to help the baby formula shortage with “Operation Fly Formula,” which is importing formula from Europe to then be distributed to hospitals, care centers, and pharmacies in areas with the greatest need.
“Folks, I’m excited to tell you that the first flight from Operation Fly Formula is loaded up with more than 70,000 pounds of infant formula and about to land in Indiana,” Biden tweeted on Sunday. “Our team is working around the clock to get safe formula to everyone who needs it.”