On February 17, the FDA announced the closure of Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Mich. facility that produces infant formula, setting in motion the current shortage we are experiencing today:
The FDA is investigating consumer complaints for Cronobacter and Salmonella infections. All cases are said to have consumed infant formula made by Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. Products made here can be found in the United States https://t.co/RpFLAXjE4C pic.twitter.com/KSIjh8dTeB
– United States FDA (@ United States FDA) February 17, 2022
The FDA warning was clear enough At that time:
“Because this is a product used as the sole source of nutrition for many infants and children in our nation, the FDA is deeply concerned about these reports of bacterial infections,” said Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Response. food. “We want to reassure the public that we are working diligently with our partners to investigate complaints regarding these products, which we recognize include infant formula produced at this facility, as we work to resolve this safety issue as quickly as possible.”
But when asked about the current crisis today, President Joe Biden defended his administration’s actions by saying that if they were better mind readers maybe they could have acted faster:
Asked by @ JDiamond1 In response to criticism that his administration should have acted on the shortage of infant formula first, Biden says that perhaps they could have done so if they had been “mind readers.”
He says it was important to act “cautiously” on this issue.
– MJ Lee (@mj_lee) May 13, 2022
Literally. Here is the full quote:
Biden’s full answer on this:
“If we had been better mind readers, I guess we could have, but we moved as quickly as possible when the problem became apparent to us and we need to move with caution and speed …”
– MJ Lee (@mj_lee) May 13, 2022
“… because we have to make sure what we’re getting is actually a top-notch product. That’s why the FDA has to go through the process.”
– MJ Lee (@mj_lee) May 13, 2022
You know, the problem is not reading minds. It’s that no one in the administration or the FDA thought about what would happen if a major formula milk supplier closed without a set return date. Especially with the state-wide WIC restrictions that are making the crisis worse.
From Susan Crabtree of RealClearPolitics on how the administration is * finally * addressing this problem:
.@PressSec provides an update on the problem of the supply of baby food: this afternoon Ag Sect. Vilsack sent a letter to all states urging them to adopt all possible flexibilities in the WIC program to allow more consumers to gain greater access to the formula.
– Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) May 13, 2022
Your son has a severe dairy allergy. Even though he’s one year old, he needs a specific type of formula to supplement his nutrition and calories. They can’t find it anywhere nearby that accepts WIC, which they also depend on.
– Lindsey Mills (@ LindseyMills7) May 13, 2022
After a desperate call to the pediatrician’s office, a nurse took matters into her own hands, helping track down eight cans. Enough to last just under a month.
– Lindsey Mills (@ LindseyMills7) May 13, 2022
So, amidst the nationwide shortage of all kinds of formulas – not only does this family depend on a very specific type – they can’t afford it without WIC.
– Lindsey Mills (@ LindseyMills7) May 13, 2022
And, today, “Abbott has agreed to extend WIC discounts for all contract products through the end of August”:
The White House says Abbott has agreed to extend WIC discounts for all contracted products through the end of August, following a letter of @SecVilsack.
Gives WIC recipients the means to purchase alternative brands as Abbott takes care of bringing plants back online after a bacterial outbreak
– Meredith Lee (@meredithllee) May 13, 2022
But there is still some work to be done:
It’s a useful step for WIC recipients, but the problem remains that there isn’t enough supply of those alternative brands. The White House says it has partnered with the few other formula makers on the market to increase production.
– Meredith Lee (@meredithllee) May 13, 2022
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told members next week they will vote on new legislation “to grant emergency authority to the WIC program to address supply chain disruptions and recalls”:
NEW BABY FORMULA: Nancy Pelosi announces that the House will vote next week on a “bill to grant emergency authority to the WIC program to address supply chain disruptions and recalls.”
WIC is a food voucher for moms and the primary purchaser of formulas through state contracts with the industry.
– Arthur Delaney 🇺🇸 (@ArthurDelaneyHP) May 13, 2022
No rush, everyone:
WIC is choosy about suitable foods and allows moms to purchase only ONE brand of formula.
Biden’s CEO said yesterday he would loosen that rule; I’m not sure how next week’s bill complements that announcement https://t.co/nXDXysa4mp
– Arthur Delaney 🇺🇸 (@ArthurDelaneyHP) May 13, 2022
And it should start importing infant formula that is already approved in Europe:
1) Abrogate all baby formula rates (tariff rates)
2) Request the FDA to allow the import of any formula approved by a competent regulator (EU, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, etc.)
3) Reform of the WIC (e.g. no more contact with the source alone) https://t.co/npoxxKVGM9– Scott Lincicome (@scottlincicome) May 12, 2022
But instead of common sense reform at the FDA, the Democrats will blame “capitalism”. Still:
We have built a tariff / regulatory wall around the US baby food market and then, using a government monopsony (WIC), we have distorted the prices / supply of national formulas, discouraged market entry and encouraged concentration of producers. .
And now they blame “capitalism” for the crisis. https://t.co/jqOGcMT3zv
– Scott Lincicome (@scottlincicome) May 13, 2022
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