Infant Formula Supply

In the coming weeks and months, infant formula will become more and more available as efforts by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and government partners to help increase supply continue to show results. This is indeed a food safety concern.
As part of the efforts, imported infant formula that’s been reviewed by the FDA is showing up on store shelves and on the websites of formula companies and major retailers.
Because these products are new to the U.S. market, and therefore new to you, you may have questions about them. It is important to talk to your child’s health care provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices, and the appropriate formulas to substitute, as you consider your options.
Safely Increasing the Supply of Infant Formula
To increase the supply of infant formula in the U.S., the FDA set up a process so that companies that don’t normally sell their infant formula in the U.S. can request to do so on a temporary basis. Under the process, the FDA reviews much of the same information it does under normal circumstances to help ensure infant formula is safe and nutritious. The review includes:
The infant formula’s nutritional composition and ingredients.
Microbiological and nutrient testing for the finished product.
Facility inspection history.
Manufacturing procedures and controls.
Quality control procedures.
The FDA will also ensure any new infant formula products have labeling information about allergens and directions for preparing formula.
The process applies to companies outside the U.S. and to some companies in the U.S. as well. For example, a U.S. company that makes infant formula solely for export could request to sell its product here.
The FDA monitors online marketplaces for fraudulent and counterfeit formula products. When products that are harmful or violative are found, the FDA works with major online retailers to remove those products from sale on their site. Since many of these fraudulent products originate overseas, the FDA targets and examines these products at ports of entry. The FDA also monitors and follows up on information that comes from outside the agency, such as consumer complaints about potential counterfeit and fraudulent products.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE FDA WEBSITE.