US baby milk shortage could last indefinitely, adviser says

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The shortage of formula for babies in the United States could last for some time, said this Friday (13) the economic adviser of the White House Brian Deese, emphasizing that the government’s priority is safety.

This problem “is not going to be solved in a day or a week,” Deese told CNN.

When asked whether “parents should be prepared for it to last weeks or months, Deese remained elusive. “We need to see how it progresses in real time,” he said. The aide urged parents to see their doctors in case of urgent needs.

According to data provider Datasembly, the infant milk powder shortage rate reached 43% at the end of last week.

Initially caused by supply chain problems and a shortage of manpower, shortages increased in February when Abbott’s Michigan plant closed after the “voluntary withdrawal” of products suspected of causing the death of two babies.

“Safety is paramount in this case,” Deese said, stressing that Abbott was closed for security reasons.

“On the day the withdrawal took place, (Joe Biden’s) administration sent out guidance to all states to update their regulations,” he added.

Ultimately, Deese assured that “all the levers of the federal government” were pulled to support the supply chain.

Accused of indifference or not reacting in time, the White House presented on Thursday some measures — of limited scope — to combat the problem.

President Biden’s administration plans, among other things, to increase imports. Currently, the United States produces 98% of the infant formula it consumes.

“In the last four weeks there was more milk production for babies than in the four weeks before the withdrawal” of Abbott products, the adviser noted.

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