(CMR) Parents have reportedly been turning to social media like Facebook Marketplace to source formula for their babies as a nationwide shortage continues in the US.
The shortage could worsen over the next few weeks as supermarket shelves are almost empty.
Abbott manufacturer, which was closed in February, may not start operating for another two weeks as it awaits approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
In February, the FDA recalled three popular brands of powdered baby formula produced by Abbott because of bacterial contamination.
The recall included some Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formula products. After months of supply chain issues, the recall exacerbated the struggle to keep powdered formula in stock.
There is an over 40 percent shortage which is a major challenge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that only about a quarter of infants born in the US in 2017 were fed exclusively through breastfeeding in their first six months.
Last week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the Food and Drug Administration was working to make sure baby formula is available to consumers.
“They are working around the clock to address any possible shortage,” she said.
Psaki said the FDA was coordinating with formula manufacturers to ramp up production while prioritizing products of the greatest need.
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