Supplies of baby formula across the country have been severely curtailed in recent weeks after a February recall by Abbott Nutrition.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas, as he faces mounting political pressure over a domestic shortage caused by the safety-related closure of the country’s largest formula manufacturing plant.
“I know parents across the country are worried about finding enough formula to feed their babies,” Biden said in a video statement released by the White House. “As a parent and as a grandparent, I know just how stressful that is.” After getting the FDA’s OK, Abbott said it will take eight to ten weeks before new products begin arriving in stores. The company didn’t set a timeline to restart manufacturing.
One bill expected to have wide bipartisan support would give the secretary of the Department of Agriculture the ability to issue a narrow set of waivers in the event of a supply disruption. The goal is to give participants in an assistance program commonly known as WIC the ability to use vouchers to purchase formula from any producer rather than be limited to one brand that may be unavailable. The WIC program accounts for about half of infant formula sales in the U.S.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the money would increase FDA staffing to boost inspections of domestic and international suppliers, prevent fraudulent products from getting onto store shelves and acquire better data on the marketplace. Chicago-based Abbott has emphasized that its products have not been directly linked to the bacterial infections in children. Samples of the bacteria found at its plant did not match the strains collected from two babies by federal investigators.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden Invokes Defense Production Act to Address Nationwide Shortage of Baby FormulaPresident Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act in a major step to boost the supply of baby formula. The announcement means the federal government will prioritize key ingredients for formula production and compel suppliers to provide the needed resources to formula manufacturers. In addition to invoking the 1950 law, which allows the government to direct manufacturing production for national…
Read more »
Biden invokes Defense Production Act to address nationwide shortage of baby formulaEmploying the 1950 Act would prioritize key ingredients for formula production and compel suppliers to provide the needed resources to manufacturers.
Read more »
Baby formula shortage: Biden invokes Defense Production Act to bolster baby formula productionJUST IN: President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed the production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas.
Read more »
Biden invokes Defense Production Act to address nationwide shortage of baby formulaThe announcement means the federal government will prioritize key ingredients for formula production and compel suppliers to provide the needed resources to formula manufacturers.
Read more »
Biden invokes Defense Production Act to bolster baby formula productionPresident Joe Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and has authorized flights to import supply from overseas. FOX13
Read more »
President Biden Invokes Defense Production Act For Baby Formula ShortageBREAKING: President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act on Wednesday to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas.
Read more »