Infant and child formula shortages: now is the time to prevent recurrences

An acute shortage of infant formulas in the United States occurred in early 2022, exacerbating a longer-standing, less severe shortage that has occurred over the last several years. The shortage has been particularly problematic for specialized formulas such as those needed for infants and children with food allergies, intestinal failure, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders. Although undoubtedly the magnitude of the current shortage will abate over time, it has affected many children and caused tremendous distress for thousands of families. We propose a series of interventions to be undertaken as soon as feasible to help ensure that the conditions that led to this problem do not recur and families regain confidence in the safety and supply reliability of formulas for infants and young children regardless of their medical needs.

Automated summary

An acute shortage of infant formulas in the United States, especially specialized formulas for infants and children with specific medical conditions, has caused distress for numerous families. Interventions are proposed to prevent future occurrences and restore confidence in the safety and reliability of infant formulas.