Adams said the shortage “has caused unimaginable pain and anxiety for families across New York — and we must act with urgency.”
The baby formula shortage that has grappled the nation prompted New York City Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency there.
As reported by reported previously that part of the shortage issue began last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to disruptions in labor, transportation and raw materials — economy-wide issues that didn’t spare the baby formula industry. Then, in February, Abbott Nutrition recalled several major brands of powdered formula and shut down its Sturgis, Michigan, factory when federal officials began investigating the incidents of four babies who suffered bacterial infections after consuming formula from the facility. One of the infants died.
Abbott produces the vast majority of the U.S. baby formula supply, so their recall wiped out a large segment of the market. According to USA Today, at the end of April, nearly 40% of baby formulas at major retailers were sold out.
President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act in response to the crisis and ordered suppliers of formula ingredients to make their delivery to manufacturers a priority. Last week, he launched Operation Fly Formula, which allows U.S. military resources to acquire baby formula from overseas.
The first shipment reportedly arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday. According to The Associated Press, the formula, weighing 78,000 pounds, is said to be enough for more than half a million baby bottles.
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