As the national baby formula shortage rages on, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday a host of resources are available for families struggling to feed their children.
On Feb. 17, the National Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to use certain powdered formulas from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility, and Abbott initiated a voluntary recall of certain products. Since then, the availability of formula has sharply decreased.
“In close coordination with our federal partners, New York State will continue to do everything possible to support New York families in need of formula for their infants,” Governor Hochul said on May 12. “My administration is committed to ensuring every newborn and child has access to the nutritional support they need to stay healthy. I urge every parent and guardian to take advantage of these resources and keep up to date with important information to take care of their families.”
Throughout the pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) has supported the distribution of diapers, formula and other baby supplies through the department’s home visiting program and other partnerships. Through New York State’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Department of Health continues to monitor the supply chain that may be affecting communities.
The DOH has also increased communication with formula manufacturers to monitor the production of can sizes, supply and shipments. New York WIC participants should contact their local agency for assistance locating products when needed.
Through Wanda, the DOH’s chatbot, New Yorkers can receive direct, accessible online navigation support through a “personal WIC assistant” and see if their infant is eligible for WIC benefits.
“Reports of infant formula supply shortages are concerning, and we urge New York families to follow the Department’s recommendations as we continue to monitor the situation in New York,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. New York families should work with their infant’s medical provider if a new formula suggestion is needed to meet their infant’s needs, and all New Yorkers should visit their local New York State Women, Infants and Children Office or prescreen with Wanda, the Department’s chatbot, to see if their infant is eligible for WIC benefits. The Department remains committed to ensuring families have the nutritional support and resources needed to best care for our youngest New Yorkers.”
For families struggling to locate formula they need for their children, the DOH recommends the following:
Call your OBGYN or the infant’s medical provider to see if they have in office samples or can suggest a similar formula that may be more readily available in stores that is nutritionally similar to meet the infant’s needs, switch to another brand or type that’s available, if recommended by the infant’s medical provider, contact a local New York State Women, Infants and Children Office or prescreen with Wanda, the Department’s chatbot, to see if the infant is eligible for WIC benefits, families with WIC should check the New York State Women, Infants and Children vendor site to find a list of WIC approved vendors who may have formula in stock, visit smaller stores and drugstores that carry formula.
You may want to call first to see if they have formula in stock, look online for options available but be sure to only order from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies, don’t buy formula online from people you don’t know on social media sites, online auctions, or overseas, check the lot code on the formula that you already have to make sure it wasn’t recalled.
Don’t throw away formula that wasn’t part of the recall, unless it is expired, be sure to follow the formula manufacturer’s preparation and storage instructions, don’t use toddler formula to feed infants, don’t water down formula or try to make infant formula at home and expectant individuals are encouraged to consult with a provider about breastfeeding their infant.
The New York State WIC program also provides breastfeeding support and resources to new families. Families feeding a baby with human milk from a source other than the baby’s mother should only use milk from a source that has screened its milk donors and taken other precautions to ensure the safety of its milk.
The Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation and communicate openly with New York families. For more information, support, and WIC eligibility, visit New York State Women, Infants and Children Office or prescreen with Wanda.
Caregivers can also read the latest from the FDA here.
