Stew Lenoard President and CEO Stew Leonard discusses his company’s efforts to sell baby formula in its stores for the first time in the face of nationwide shortages.
French baby formula maker Danone has increased shipments of specialty formula to the US to help alleviate nationwide shortages of the product.
“We have increased production and shipping of our specialty medicinal formulas like Neocate for at-risk babies to the United States [sic] severe cow’s milk allergy,” Danone told FOX Business.
ABBOTT SAYS IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS BEFORE SHUTTERED PLANT NUTRITIONAL FOOD ARRIVES ON SHELVES
The company said it recognizes the importance of these specialized formulas and has made it a priority to “increase production and supply since shortages hit in February.”“
A woman shops for baby food at Target in Annapolis, Maryland on May 16, 2022. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The company did not provide any further details. However, Reuters reported that the company’s Nutricia division’s marine imports in North America more than tripled between January and May.
More than 90% of these were shipped to the US, according to Reuters, which reviewed US customs data and an analysis of ocean freight data by shipping consultancy Ocean Audit.
The news comes just days after President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed up infant formula production and authorize flights to import supplies from overseas.
An employee walks by near empty shelves where baby food would normally be at a New Orleans CVS on Monday, May 16, 2022 (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP/AP Newsroom )
ABBOTT RECALLS AFTER 4 DISEASES REPORTED TO SIMILAC AND OTHER BABY FOOD
Earlier this week, Abbott Nutrition and the FDA reached an agreement to reopen the company’s Michigan plant, which has been closed since February. Abbott closed its Sturgis facility after FDA inspectors began investigating four bacterial infections in infants who consumed formula from the facility. All four were hospitalized and two died.
The company said “there is no conclusive evidence to link Abbott’s formulas to these childhood illnesses,” although it acknowledged that the factory recall exacerbated the industry-wide problem.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.