Biden Administration Importing 23 Million Bottles Of Baby Formula Into U.S. in Biggest Step Yet To Combat Nationwide Shortage

Topline

The White House announced the largest shipments of baby formula to the U.S. to date Wednesday as part of its campaign to combat a nationwide shortage of baby formula, sourcing a total of 23 million eight-ounce bottles worth of formula from Mexico, Germany and Australia.

Key Facts

The formula will be transported to Fort Worth, Texas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia in four separate shipments between June 24 and July 5, the White House announced Wednesday.

The Biden administration’s Fly Formula operation has so far expedited imports of the equivalent of 15.15 million eight-ounce bottles.

The formula – from companies Nestlé, Gerber and Bubs Australia – will be available at Target, Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, online through Gerber.com and from other retailers, the White House announced in a statement.

Key Background

Biden launched the Fly Formula missions last month, in response to COVID-19-related supply-chain issues and the shutdown of an Abbott Laboratories formula factory in February due to bacterial contamination that caused a severe nationwide shortage. The factory reopened June 4, only to be closed again last week due to flooding. In May, the Food and Drug Administration approved importation of formula from Europe and Australia, paving the way for the shipments. The first shipments arrived in the U.S. on Federal Express planes nearly a month ago, and were distributed to hospitals with neonatal care units, where doctors rely on prepared formula for premature newborns and critically ill infants.

Big Number

42 million. That’s the number of eight-ounce bottles worth of formula Nestlé said it plans to supply to the U.S. when the FDA approved the imports. Bubs Australia pledged another 27.5 million bottles worth.

Further Reading

Here’s How The Biden Administration Plans To Tackle The Baby Formula Shortage (Forbes)

The Biden Administration’s Mixed Track Record Managing Ongoing Baby Formula Crisis (Forbes)