Baby Formula Shortage Easing For Many Americans, But The Problem Is Not Over For Families

Baby Formula Shortage baby formula Infant Formula Shortage Formula shortage easing

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Aug 03, 11:35 am

Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Vicki Hankins and her husband were putting serious miles on their vehicle while looking for baby formula about a month ago. Fortunately for the couple, a lot has changed about the formula crisis since then.

Instead of having long drives every few days with uncertain results, they now have been able to cut down to one long trip only once or twice a month to search for formula. The couple told CNN they don't worry any more about being able to find the much-needed formula for their kid. Vicki and her hubby just know they will have to travel to get it.

Experts who are closely tracking the baby formula shortage in the country say stories like the Hankinses' are par for the course right now in the United States. Formula availability is not back to normal just yet, but for many American families, the situation is better than it was even a month or two ago.

Stock rates for powdered formula slower to recover in U.S.

Market research firm Information Resources Inc. (IRI) said that before a nationwide infant formula recall by Abbott back in February and the subsequent shutdown of one of the company's major manufacturing facilities, about 10 percent of infant formula items were typically out of stock in stores.

The latest report of IRI says that about 20 percent of all types of baby formula products were out of stock during the week ending July 24, according to CNBC. That is the lowest out-of-stock rate since early June. Stock rates for powdered formula have been slower to recover, though, with IRI data showing that about 30 percent of powdered formula products were out of stock the week ending July 24.

Dr. Steve Abrams, who is a neonatologist at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, said there is no question that the situation where American families are finding absolutely no formula in stores has gotten much better. Abrams pointed out, however, that there are still significant problems in the system.

Abbott's Michigan plant resumes production

The US Food and Drug Administration commissioner issued a statement last week, saying that formula production needs to continue at high levels for six to eight more weeks for supply to keep up with demand in the country.

Programs designed to help American families affected by the formula shortage are being extended too. Abbott announced back in May, that it would cover the cost of switching babies to different brands in states where it held WIC (Women, infants and children) contracts through August 30, a signal that it expected the baby formula shortage could impact consumers for months.

Flooding from a storm halted operations at Abbott's Michigan facility back in June, delaying its production ramp up once again. Abbott has resumed production of its specialty Elecare formula and shipping could begin imminently, according to NPR. The company has extended its rebates to states, though, for another month.