US Experiences Baby Formula Crisis

The United States (US) is experiencing a baby formula crisis amid soaring prices of goods. According to the RT report , Monday (9/5/2022), a number of retailers have even imposed formula milk rationing.

"Some pharmacies and supermarkets limit shoppers to three infant and toddler formula products per in-store and online purchase," USA Today reports, citing the retailer.

"Due to increasing demand and multiple supplier challenges, infant and toddler formula is experiencing bottlenecks across the country," Walgreens Boots Alliance spokesman Steve Cohen quoted the publication as saying.

Between November and April, levels are out of stock for formula - a manufactured breast milk substitute made mostly from cow's milk. Shortage figures jumped from single digits to nearly 40% nationwide and even exceeded 50% in some states, according to the latest figures. from market data analysis firm Datasembly.

Finding formula has been a challenge for parents, CNN says , describing how some have had to head to neighboring states or go to social media and plead with strangers to share or even exchange any extra supplies they may have. One mother told USA Today that “trying to find Similac {a brand of infant formula} was almost a full day's work."

"Inflation, supply chain shortages and product recalls have brought an unprecedented amount of volatility to infant formula," said Datasembly CEO Ben Reich, warning that "there is no indication of a slowdown."

According to CNN , manufacturers are producing at full capacity but still not enough to meet current demand. The shortage was exacerbated by the recall of three brands of infant formula in February due to concerns about bacterial infections and the closure of large factories.

The birth rate in the US has steadily increased in recent years. At the same time, inflation figures have surged over the past year at the fastest pace in more than 40 years