A nationwide shortage of baby formula has spurred a response from several House committees in an effort to figure out what’s caused the issue and how the government can ease the problems causing the shortages.
Two House committees announced this week they are looking into the issue, with a spokesperson telling CNN that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Friday morning sent letters to four separate companies that produce baby formula requesting information about the supply chain issues.
Additionally, a House Energy and Commerce Committee spokesperson announced a hearing on baby formula for May 25 and told CNN they plan to call representatives from the Food and Drug Administration and Abbott, a major baby formula producer, to testify.
American stores have had a hard time keeping baby formula in stock for months due to a recall, inflation and supply chain problems. Manufacturers have said they are producing at full capacity, but it’s not enough to keep up with demand. While this has become a bipartisan issue on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are pointing fingers at different parties for the issue, with Democrats blaming the companies and Republicans blaming the Biden administration and FDA….
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The FDA recalled three brands of powdered baby formulas made by the company [ Abbott Nutrition] due to potential bacterial infections, including salmonella. The agency advised parents not to buy or use certain batches of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered infant formulas, all Abbott brands….
Update.…
It appears that the FDA will relax rules on non-American companies that export baby food here….
and….
Stephanie Ruhle
@SRuhle
The baby formula shortage reveals an amazing secret oligopoly:
– 3 American companies control over 90% of the mkt
– hugely restrictive regulations (thanks to big $ lobbying) prohibit foreign formulas
Name another industry/sector/product like this
Baby Formula Update…
Biden admin and manufacture both under pressure
The baby formula manufacturer at the heart of a nationwide formula recall says it has reached an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration to enter into a consent decree, a legally binding agreement that would require the company to take certain steps in response to violations found at its Sturgis, Michigan, facility.
If a court approves the agreement, the company says it could restart the site within two weeks…..
CNN
Manu Raju
@mkraju
231-192, the House approves $28 million to help FDA deal with baby formula shortage. All NO votes were Republicans and 12 GOP members voted for it. It now moves to the Senate