“My expectation is that within two months we should be beyond normal, and with a plethora,” Dr. Califf said. “It’s going to be gradual improvement up to probably somewhere around two months until the shelves are replete again.”
The Federal Trade Commission announced an investigation May 24 into the shortage, which stems from the February shutdown of an Abbott Nutrition factory due to safety concerns.
Dr. Califf added officials need to discuss the creation of a national stockpile “as a backup” to prepare for future disruptions.
“I think we’re going to have to have a surplus. We’re certainly planning to have a surplus. The question is, should we maintain that surplus as a government activity for the foreseeable future?” Dr. Califf said.
The U.S. will distribute another 1.25 million cans of baby formula in an effort to replenish the nation’s supply, NPR reported May 28. Bubs, an Australian company, will also send the equivalent of 27.5 million 8-ounce bottles of different infant formulas to the U.S.
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