The USA formula shortage worsened in recent weeks. At present, milk banks experience an increase in demand. Moreover, desperate parents constantly contact milk banks, hoping to find alternatives for their babies.
- Breast Milk Banks Receive Surge in Calls Due to USA Formula Shortage
- Parents Expressed Frustration and Desperation
- USA Formula Shortage Triggers Backlash Against the White House
Breast Milk Banks Receive Surge in Calls Due to USA Formula Shortage
The USA formula shortage sparked an increase in demand for donor breast milk. Lindsey Groff, the executive director of the Human Milk Bank Association of North America, spoke on the issue. She noticed the effects because her organisation certifies non-profit milk banks. Moreover, the milk shortage continues to worsen in the last few weeks
Because of that, Lindsey Groff stated, "every milk bank that I have spoken with has seen a major increase in demand." She also added that they will prioritise premature or medically fragile infants for milk donation.
Fragile infants include those who are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Meanwhile, the organisation reassures that healthy, full-term babies can be recipients too.
Even the Largest Milk Bank in the USA Struggles
The Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin in Texas serves as one of the largest milk banks in the United States. Because of this, they received several requests for donor milk following the USA formula shortage. It started in February when a product recall was added to existing supply chain woes.
According to Kim Updegrove, the milk bank's executive director, the number of requests has "increased tremendously." It constantly increased for the last three weeks, with 30 extra calls each week to the milk bank.
Parents Expressed Frustration and Desperation
Many parents from across the country reaching out to Mother's Milk Bank in Austin are venting their frustration. They are frustrated by the bare shelves that they are facing at grocery stores. According to them, it's either they cannot find formula at all, or their child rejects the available supply.
"Some kids are selective about the milk that they want to drink," said Kim Updegrove. As result, infants do not tolerate whatever formula they have had to switch to. “Some are desperate," said Updegrove. "Some are angry, some are sobbing.”
Parents are becoming more desperate as they ask for assistance. They usually contact them in distress because most only have just a day’s worth of formula left in their pantries.
“The challenge is not only to feed these infants but to reinforce to parents that they are doing a great job,” she added. “There is no judgment here. They are reaching out. That’s part of problem-solving.”
USA Formula Shortage Triggers Backlash Against the White House
The republicans are slamming President Joe Biden for clipping shortages nationwide. Concerning this, the White House reassures people that they will take action to boost supplies of baby milk formula.
The administration is already under fire over the highest inflation rate in decades. They said that it was considering increasing imports as the United States relies on domestic producers.
The officials ensure that they are currently working with the states to cut red tape on poor families buying infant milk through food stamps.
According to the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, "President Biden has directed the administration to work urgently to ensure that infant formula is safe and available for families across the country."
She also said that they were already working on it for the past months.
“Our message to parents is: we hear you, we want to do everything we can, and we’re going to cut every element of red tape to help address this and make it better for you to get formula on the shelves,” she added.
Additionally, Biden requests the Federal Trade Commission to look into abuses that are related to the shortage. He wants to make sure that the resale price of infant milk online will not go far above normal.
The president as well as the manufacturers and retailers were able to have "productive and encouraging" discussions. It is an initiation from the White House by an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Unfortunately, the official cannot determine how long it would take for the situation to improve.
US Food and Drug Administration’s Lack of Response to the Shortage
Elsewhere, a mum who works for the House Republican leadership attempted to contact the US Food and Drug Administration. During a press conference, she revealed that she received "no substantive response" to her inquiry.
She also added that, “Joe Biden simply has no plan. In fact, when Joe Biden’s White House was asked about the shortage, they laughed. Shameful.”
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