WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa) demanded answers from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Commissioner Robert Califf on steps they are taking to address the ongoing baby
formula shortage that has impacted families across the country. The
letter
comes as reports indicate at least 40 percent of baby formula supplies in the
U.S. are completely depleted. In six states
including Iowa, more than half of all baby formula was completely sold out during
the week of April 24th.
“I am writing with concern about the
current shortage of infant formula in Iowa, and nationwide. Access to a
steadfast, nutritional food supply is critical for all Americans, especially
children. As supply chain shortages continue to impact families, I ask that the
FDA prioritize our nation’s critical need for infant formula and do what the
agency can to ease the shortages,” Grassley
said.
Grassley notes that children and adults
fed through feeding tubes also rely on these specialized formulas – and these
formulas cannot be substituted. Low- and middle-income families, who are
already stretched thin due to 40-year high inflation, have been forced to make
homemade formula or add water to bottles to stretch their limited supply. It
has left some parents deeply
concerned about the health and wellbeing – and even the survival – of their
infants.
“I recognize the impact the COVID-19
pandemic and decreased workforce capacity has had on our supply chains.
However, it is imperative that Americans have access to food that infants and
others need to survive. It is the utmost importance to our families across the
country that a reliable supply of formula is reestablished immediately,” Grassley concluded.
Grassley, ranking member of the Senate
Judiciary Committee and a longtime advocate of government oversight and
accountability, is asking the Biden administration’s FDA to provide Congress
with a prompt update by answering the following questions:
- What are the
plans to mitigate the effects of the recent recall of formula on the supply of
formula across all brands?
- What actions is
the FDA taking to alleviate shortages, and when does the FDA estimate that
Americans will once again have reliable access to formula?
- Does FDA have any
plans to modify oversight or investigation procedures to ensure that in the
future, families have consistent access to safe formula?
Read the full letter
HERE.
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