Baby formula crunch in U.S. forces scramble to boost supplies
(Reuters) - The nationwide shortage of baby formula has prompted
Top infant formula makers, including Reckitt Benckiser (RBGPF), Nestle and Danone SA, are also ramping up supplies to the country.
Here is a timeline of how the crisis unfolded and measures being taken to resolve it:
Abbott recalls dozens of types of powdered baby formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare, made at its
Abbott expands recall to include some Similac PM 60/40 products based on a fifth complaint of a bacterial infection.
House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman
The Salmonella Newport illness, which was previously included in the investigation of complaints and illnesses, has been removed, the FDA says. The regulator has determined that there is not enough information to definitively link the illness to powdered infant formula.
FDA probe of Abbott's
Abbott cuts full-year sales growth forecast, citing the voluntary recall of the infant formula products but keeps profit estimate. Abbott calls the recall a "short-term hindrance".
House Appropriations Committee Chair
Abbott says it will release limited quantities of nutrition products that were put on hold after February recall.
Major U.S. retailers including Target Corp (TGT), CVS Health Corp (CVS), Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and Kroger Co place purchase limits on infant formula products.
Abbott says it has been prioritizing production of formula at other plants and ships formula from its
U.S. lawmakers plan to hold a hearing on
Abbott says it could restart production at its
President
U.S. House Appropriations Committee says FDA Commissioner
The U.S. House Oversight Committee plans to investigate the shortage, saying it has sent letters seeking information to the four largest manufacturers of baby formula - Abbott Nutrition, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Nestle USA and Perrigo.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closes its investigation on Abbott, while Abbott said it has air shipped millions of cans of baby formula powder into
Store-brand baby formula maker Perrigo Co says shortages and heightened demand may last for the rest of the year.
The FDA says
Abbott reaches agreement with the FDA on the steps needed to resume production at its
U.S. House Democrats unveil a bill to provide
Nestle SA told Reuters it was flying supplies to the country from
U.S. President Biden invokes the Defense Production Act to help manufacturers obtain the ingredients needed to ramp up supply.
Several Canadian retailers have imposed purchase limits on baby formula products, says Retail Council of Canada spokesperson, adding the country has not been as hard hit by the shortage.
Abbott and the FDA are on track to reopen the company's
French baby formula maker Danone SA has ramped up shipments of infant formula from
(Reporting by