Baby formula shortage crisis intensifies as Sturgis plant remains shut down
STURGIS, Mich. — Baby formula is just one of many items in short supply since the pandemic hit.
Parents said the problem has only gotten worse-- across the country shelves are empty and many stores are now putting limits on how much baby formula customers can buy.
“You’ll see that Meijer has formulas in stock. You get all excited, you pack up all four kids, you drive there, it’s not in stock. It’s frustrating, it’s hard," Sarah Pasco, a Portage mom, said about her recent struggles.
Pasco is mom to four kids and a pair of twins under the age of one. Her twins are monoamniotic twins, otherwise known as Mono Mono or Momo twins, meaning they shared a sac and placenta. Monoamniotic twins make up less than one percent of all U.S. twin pregnancies.
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Her twins, Chloe and Caylin, rely on a specific type of formula: a brand of Similac made for babies born prematurely. While doctors said parents should generally try to find an alternative option for formula amid the shortage, Pasco said that's not an option for her daughters. Her pediatrician told her to stick to the brand she uses because of the necessary calories needed to feed her girls.
“There is so much anxiety wrapped around it and I’ve already had so much anxiety with my pregnancy to get them into the world and once they were here in the NICU," she said. "You’re never in the clear as a parent. You’re always worried, there are always worries, but I never thought formula would be my fear.”
Part of the issue is rooted in West Michigan: back in February, supplies were hit hard when Abbott Nutrition recalled certain batches of popular formula brands after reports of infants getting sick-- those recalled products were produced at a facility in Sturgis.
- Limited Supply:Parents scramble to find baby formula amid shortage, recall
The company was forced to shut down the Sturgis plant and since then, formula has become more scarce, while prices have continued to climb.
The Pasco family said they haven't been able to use WIC benefits due to the low inventory which means they are having to pay out of pocket for formula in addition to driving long distances.
"Gas is so expensive right now," Pasco said. "We were just up in Grand Rapids this past week. The week prior to that we were in the Lansing area. We have gone everywhere we can.”
Many of those products made at the Sturgis can be found across the country and were likely exported to other countries, according to the FDA.
Recalled Products:
The FDA recommends consumers look at the lot code, a multidigit number on the bottom of a container of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered infant formula and do not use if:
- the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and
- the code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and
- the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
In addition to products described above, Abbott Nutrition has recalled Similac PM 60/40 with a lot code of 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case).
You can also enter your product lot code on the company’s website to check if it's part of the recall.
Powdered Abbott products that don’t have the code and expiration noted above are not included in the recall. Liquid formula products are not subject to the recall.
The reported cases among children involve Cronobacter sakazakii infection which can cause severe, life-threatening infections. The infections are rare but are especially high-risk for newborns.
Symptoms could include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, or abnormal body movements.
As the baby formula shortage continues, pediatricians said the best alternative for parents is to find a similar brand due to the lack of inventory.
"Some parents have to travel to 1, 2, 4, 5 stores to be able to find adequate formula for their babies," Dr. Eric Ball, one pediatrician, said. "The one thing you want to make sure is you're not trying to make your own baby formula or substituting with just cow's milk or anything else for anyone under 12 months."
Data from Datasembly showed 40% of baby formula products were out of stock during the week of April 24. That number is up 11% from the end of November.
In the meantime, manufacturers are ramping up production, though it's not clear when shortages will ease.
Connect with Lexie Petrovic via email at apetrovic@sbgtv.com. Follow Lexie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.