The first shipment of baby formula has arrived in the US.
A military cargo plane carrying 78,000 pounds of infant formula touched down in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sunday, part of an effort launched by the Biden administration to mitigate the nationwide shortage.
An administration official said that FedEx will move the formula to a distribution center nearby for a standard quality control check before it is distributed.
—President Biden (@POTUS) May 22, 2022
President Biden launched a program called "Operation Fly Formula" earlier this week to get infant formula back on store shelves in the US after a shortage. Some families took extreme measures last month because of the shortage caused by supply chain challenges and product recalls.
Some more affluent parents went to the black market to purchase formula, while others tried to make their own formula. Doctors discouraged these alternatives because formula must adhere to specific standards to ensure proper digestion.
The shortage has led to the hospitalizations of infants who struggle with nutrition. Four babies are seeking treatment at the Medical University of South Carolina for deficiencies related to the formula shortage.
At the start of the month, out-of-stock rates for formula were 31%, but by the end of the month they were 40%.
The equivalent of 1.5 million eight-ounce bottles of three Nestl formulas will be transported by Operation Fly Formula. Children with cow's milk allergy can use the products.
According to The White House, these formulas are being prioritized because they serve a critical medical purpose and are in short supply in the United States because of the Abbott Sturgis plant closing.
The Sunday shipment included Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior, and 114 of the Good Start Extensive HA are expected to arrive in the US in the coming days.
The Defense Production Act was invoked by President Biden this week to increase domestic production of baby formula.
The recent shortage of formula has made a difference in the lives of children and their parents and caregivers.
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