The FDA has announced the availability of educational resources for parents and caregivers with questions about using imported infant formula.
The resources comes at a time when the U.S. has faced a national shortage of infant formula caused by the pandemic, supply chain issues, and an issue at a prominent formula factory causing a large percentage of the product to be recalled. These problems have necessitated the import of millions of cans of infant formula from around the world.
The FDA’s resources include infographics, consumer videos responding to frequently asked questions, and a consumer update for parents and caregivers to learn about the factors considered when determining the eligibility of the product to be distributed in the U.S.
“Parents and caregivers should have confidence that our collective work with federal partners, manufacturers, and retailers means more infant formula that is safe and nutritious, including product coming in from other countries, is on shelves nationwide. The information and resources the agency is providing should help parents and caregivers find and understand how to use these safe, nutritious infant formula products that are comparable to those they’ve traditionally seen on store shelves,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Importantly, a combination of increased domestic production and infant formula being imported is steadily improving what parents and caregivers are seeing on the shelves.”
Increased product import flexibilities have resulted in the import of formula from nine countries, with a total estimated import of 524.1 million eight-ounce bottles worth of the product. The FDA also announced that it will develop a new framework for continued, long-term access to infant formula options for U.S. parents that will continue beyond the current temporary flexibilities that began on May 16.
Related: FDA Takes Steps to Support Continued Formula Imports; USDA Invests in Underserved Agricultural Workforce