Operation Fly Formula: Plane carrying Baby Formula Milk Arrives in the US, Abbott CEO Apologizes

The first batch of imported formula milk from Ramstein Air Base in Germany arrived in Indiana, U.S., under "Operation Fly Formula" on Sunday, May 22. The airlifting of formula milk is one of President Joe Biden's administration's actions to address the nationwide baby formula shortage.

The military aircraft carried the shipment of three formula brands, which is equivalent to half a million 8-ounces bottles. The consignment includes Nestlé Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior and Gerber Good Start Extensive H.A., hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow's milk protein allergies.

Operation Fly Formula

President Joe Biden announced on Twitter that the cargo plane from Ramstein, Germany carried more than 70,000 pounds (31,750 kg) of powdered formula, adding that their team is working "round the clock" to secure safe formula for those who need it, Channel News Asia reported.

Presidential economics advisor Brian Deese said the first shipment would cover around 15 percent of the immediate need. Deese assured more loads will be coming in early this week as part of the administration's "Operation Fly Formula."

The military flew the formula to Indiana because it is a hub for Nestle, a major domestic producer. The formula will be quality-tested at a nearby lab before being distributed.

Transporting the product from Germany to Europe would take two weeks but the "Operation Fly Formula" cut down the process to approximately three days, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The second shipment will be flying into Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on a FedEx plane this coming week, as per the White House.

Biden also signed the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 to improve access to baby formula for low-income families. The legislation ensures families can use the benefits of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to buy formula products outside of what is typically designed for the program during the crisis.

Read Also: Parents of Teenager Who Died from Food Allergy Launch Study on Allergies

Baby formula milk shortage

As of May 15, nearly 45 percent of baby milk products in the U.S. were unavailable, as per data tracking firm Datasembly. The out-of-stock rate was 43 percent on May 8, ABC News reported.

Authorities said that medical-grade formulas are scarce due to production problems and supply-chain issues and created grave concerns for thousands of parents whose infants are allergic to cow's milk protein.

Abbott CEO apologizes

The shortage prompted Abbott Laboratories CEO Robert Ford to apologize in a "Washington Post" op-ed for his company's role in a nationwide shortage of baby formula, prompting Congress and the Biden administration to take emergency actions to alleviate it. As per CNBC, the apology came hours after the President signed the Access to Baby Formula Act.

Ford admitted that their company sparked the milk shortage after its recall in February of formula milk manufactured at their plant in Sturgis, Michigan. The federal officials found potentially deadly bacteria at the facility. The Sturgis plant supplies 25 percent of the baby formula in the country.

The apology also noted that they knew that some children were hospitalized for lack of Elecare, specialized formula for children who cannot digest other formula or milk.

He said that children using the formula could require medical supervision until the unique formula is back on the shelves. He added that it is tragic and heartbreaking and is "consuming my thoughts and those of my colleagues." Ford assured that they would prioritize EleCare when manufacturing resumes. Meanwhile, the company established a $5 million fund for families affected by the lack of EleCare with medical and living expenses.

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