An increasing number of online and in-store retailers are sharing out-of-stock notices for various formulas, which have been in short supply for weeks due to the temporary closure of Abbott Nutrition’s manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Mich.
Out-of-stock rates hit 74 percent nationwide in the week ending May 28, according to retail tracking data cited by Bloomberg. In 10 states, out-of-stock rates were 90 percent or greater.
On June 1, the White House announced additional efforts to boost formula supplies, including airlifting enough formula to make about 4 million bottles from the U.K. to several locations in the U.S. over the next three weeks. HHS has also arranged transport of 380,000 pounds of infant formula — enough for 4.6 million bottles — from Australia to Pennsylvania and California next week.
President Joe Biden met with the leaders of five formula companies June 1, many of whom said their plants were running 24/7 to help meet national demand. In May, President Biden also invoked the Defense Production Act to aid formula makers’ manufacturing efforts.
