The mass seizure of a baby safety formula in the United States is affecting Canadian supplies, retailers say. But Canadian parents can breathe easy – for now.
While supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected supplies over the past year, the recent shutdown of a major manufacturing facility in Michigan has exacerbated the situation, Canadian retailers say.
In February, Abbott withdrew several major brands and closed its factory in Sturgis, Michigan, when federal officials concluded that four babies had suffered bacterial infections after consuming powdered infant milk from the facility. Two of the babies died.
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The closure has prompted American parents to struggle to find a baby formula. But the same level of shortage has not yet been observed in Canada.
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“Some retailers report that most of this section (baby formula) is loaded in their stores,” said Michelle Vasilishen, national spokeswoman for the Retail Council of Canada.
According to Wasylyshen, retailers say that the supply of formula has been a continuing problem since mid-2021, but has deteriorated “significantly worse” since the withdrawal of Abbott and the closure of the largest formula factory in the United States.
“Abbott has not yet delivered any SKUs (storage units) that have been affected by the withdrawal,” she told Global News in an email Tuesday.
“Specialty items for formula that have no substitutes have been affected in the last nine months.
1:58 Kingston, Ont. Baby formula maker signs deal with goat farmers in Ontario, Quebec Kingston, Ontario. Baby formula manufacturer signs deal with goat farmers in Ontario, Quebec – April 25, 2022
Canadian retailer Loblaw said he was experiencing “supply problems” for a brand of baby formula due to the withdrawal. The company did not respond to a request from Global News to specify the brand at the time of publication.
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“Although this has left holes in our shelves, we have a good supply of formula from our other suppliers,” Loblau said.
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Walmart Canada says the industry-wide supply challenges with the product – used as a substitute for breast milk for children under one year of age – have “continued for several years”.
Read more: Baby milk is withdrawn due to possible contamination with Cronobacter bacteria
“Despite these challenges, we continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure strong deliveries of baby formula for many brands and formats (concentrates, powders and ready-to-eat) to make available for sale both in-store and and online, “a Walmart spokesman told Global News on Tuesday.
In the United States, major retailers, including CVS and Walgreens, have begun limiting purchases to three containers per customer to try to keep the formula in stock.
Baby formula on display at grocery store with a sign restricting purchases in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. AP Photo / Michael Conroy
On Monday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the Food and Drug Administration was “working around the clock to respond to a possible shortage.”
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On Tuesday, the FDA said in a statement that it was working with US manufacturers to increase production and streamline documentation to allow more imports.
“Ensuring the availability of safe food from a single source, such as infant formula, is critical to the FDA,” said Robert M. Khalif, the agency’s commissioner.
In the United States, about 40 percent of large retail stores are depleted, up from 31 percent in mid-April, according to Datasembly, a data analysis firm.
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The FDA has listed about 50 Similac, EleCare and Alimentum products involved in the Abbott seizure.
Abbott said Wednesday it could resume production at the Michigan facility within two weeks, subject to FDA approval.
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In Canada, because different retailers use different supply chains, the impact can vary from one to another, said Wasylyshen of the RCC.
Last month, a baby formula maker in Kingston, Ontario, finalized a deal with goat farmers in Ontario and Quebec to get a stable supply of one of the main ingredients. The deal will deliver goat’s milk to Canada’s Royal Milk plant.
In 2019, Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. download the Kirkland Signature GMO-free infant formula for babies sensitive to lactose due to possible Cronobacter contamination.
– with files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press and Reuters
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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