The Curious Case of Baby Formula in the United States in 2022: Cries for Urgent Action Months after Silence in the Midst of Alarm Bells

Abstract

The shortages of baby formula in the US resulting from the voluntary recall of contaminated products and shutdown of manufacturing facility in February led to increases in the national out-of-stock rate of the baby formula from 18 to 70% over the summer of 2022. This study utilizes social media listening and data analysis to examine how online media reactions to the physical shortage changed over time and how the reaction to the shortage differed from to the initial recall announcements. Improved understanding of reactions to emergent issues in foods through this lens may improve communication efficiency to mitigate potential consequences.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Infant Diet, Outcomes, Consumer Behavior and Parental Perspectives to Optimize Infant Feeding in Response to the 2022 U.S. Infant Formula Shortage

“…Nearly 80% of respondents were derived from largely White communities with annual household incomes equal to or greater than USD 100,000 and not representative of U.S. families that were severely affected by the infant formula shortage. Notably, our survey failed to capture sufficient responses from individuals who represent families from low-income, Black and Hispanic communities that were hit the hardest by the shortage [ 10 ]. There are also several strengths of this study.…”

“…The 2022 infant formula shortage was particularly challenging for vulnerable populations such as families from low-income communities that participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) [ 1 ] that heavily depend on infant formula (consuming >50% of U.S.-produced formula) [ 8 , 9 ] and infants in need of specialty formulas due to medical or other conditions [ 10 ]. Infants that require specialty formulas due to metabolic or medical conditions such as inborn error of metabolism, low birth weight or other medical or dietary conditions represent approximately 6% of infants that use infant formula in the U.S. [ 11 ].…”

Navigating formula shortages: associations of parental perspectives on transitioning to alternative infant formulas for cow's milk protein allergy during the 2022 national formula shortage

“…The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains world-wide, impacting many products including infant formula ( 1 ). In February 2022, a major manufacturing facility recall exacerbated formula shortages in the United States ( 1 ), which impacted parents of infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) requiring specialized formulas, such as extensively hydrolyzed (eHF) and amino acid (AAF) formulas ( 2 , 3 ). Healthcare providers, notably pediatricians, faced the challenge of assisting parents, particularly those requiring hypoallergenic formula ( 4 ).…”

“…Management can include eliminating cow's milk protein from breastfeeding mothers' diets and starting hypoallergenic formulas for formula-fed infants ( 3 ). However, the national formula shortage forced many parents to switch to different hypoallergenic options ( 1 ). In 2020, the United States underwent an infant formula shortage stemming from COVID-19-related import restrictions ( 1 ).…”

“…However, the national formula shortage forced many parents to switch to different hypoallergenic options ( 1 ). In 2020, the United States underwent an infant formula shortage stemming from COVID-19-related import restrictions ( 1 ). The predicament intensified in 2021 amid a global supply chain disruption and reached a peak in February 2022, attributed to a substantial recall from a company supplying 40% of U.S. infant formula ( 1 , 4 ).…”