The US launched a campaign to “airlift milk powder” to deal with shortages

Shelves of baby formula sold out at a supermarket in Maryland (USA) on May 16 afp

AFP news agency on May 19 reported that the US military will contract the aircraft to transport baby powdered milk to address the large shortage in the domestic market.

Shortage situation Baby formula (formula) is the result of supply chain problems and large-scale recalls, leaving many families with young children out of reach.

The White House said the Department of Defense would “use contracts with commercial carriers, as it did in the early months of the pandemic.” Covid-19to ship products from overseas manufacturing facilities that meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards.

“Avoiding conventional air freight routes will help speed up the import and distribution of infant formula and provide urgent assistance to firms ramping up production,” the White House said.

US President Joe Biden activated Defense Production Act to give priority to supply from infant formula brands.

“Directing companies to prioritize the production of key ingredients in baby formula will help speed up production and supply,” the White House said.

The production of this product has encountered supply chain disruptions and labor shortages due to the pandemic Covid-19. The situation became more serious in February when Abbott “voluntarily recalled” baby formula produced at its Michigan factory and closed the facility, after two infants died.

Subsequent investigation revealed that two deaths were not related to the product, and the FDA on May 16 reached an agreement to allow Abbott to resume production, but it will be weeks before the product is distributed to stores. .

About 98% of the baby formula demand in the US is met by domestic supply. Shortage rates affected 43% in May, according to Datasembly, which collects information from more than 11,000 retailers.