President Joe Biden stepped up his administration’s response to a nationwide baby formula shortage Thursday, after the situation forced parents to join online groups to trade and sell to each other to keep babies fed. their babies.
The president discussed with executives of the manufacturers Gerber y Reckitt how they could increase production and how their management could help, and spoke with store leaders Walmart y Target on how to restock shelves and address regional disparities in access to formula, the White House said.
The administration plans to monitor potential price increases and work with trading partners in Mexico, Chile, Ireland and the Netherlands on imports, even though 98% of baby formula is made in the country.
The problem is the result of supply chain disruptions and a safety recall, and it has had a cascade of effects: Retailers are limiting what customers can buy, and doctors and health workers are urging parents contacting food banks or doctor’s offices, as well as warning against diluting formula to stretch supplies or using DIY recipes online.
Shortages are hitting low-income families particularly hard after formula maker’s recall Abbott, due to contamination concerns. The recall removed many brands covered by WIC, a federal program similar to food stamps that serves women, infants and children, although the program now allows brand-name substitutes. The Biden administration is working with states to make it easier for recipients of WIC purchase different sizes of formula that your benefits may not currently cover.
Approximately half of the infant formula in the entire country is purchased by participants who use the benefits of WICaccording to the White House.
[Con información de The Associated Press]
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