Roundtable: What to do about baby formula shortage
What should be done about the baby formula shortage?
Beware of DIY formula recipes from social media
There isn't much to be done. Due to the way business and capitalism works, the baby formula shortage will eventually bounce back and recover. In the meantime, I would like to advise new moms who may be scared that it will be okay! Do not feed your newborn child hemp seeds, cows milk, or anything that TikTok or Facebook might say. Consult your doctor if you try any DIY formula recipes. Doctors also have baby formula samples that they can give away. They usually cost less than the cans you buy at the store. People can also buy generic brand formula; any kind of formula is better than none. Yes, your baby will fuss for a few days but it's just getting used to the new meal. I hope that everyone who needs formula gets an adequate amount during these scary times! And please do your research before trying anything DIY! — Liz Wicks
American made was detrimental this time
Be careful what you wish for by insisting that all products should be made in the United States. When Trump issued a new Trade Agreement (called USMCA), replacing NAFTA, one of the end results was the United States imported no more baby formula from Canada. Also, the United States exported baby formula to Canada accounting for 22% of Canada’s needs. This was a boon to United States companies like Abbot.
Now the largest baby formula plant in the United States (Abbott Nutrition) has been closed since February. The FDA issued a warning regarding the formula coming from that plant. When inspected, it was found that the plant was “egregiously unsanitary.” Abbot had no choice but to shut it down. Also, additional trade tariffs assisted in the shortage as well. Our import fees hammer other foreign formulas for as much as 17%. You can’t “buy American” for everything because this is what happens. The Biden administration needs to restructure FDA's over analysis of baby formulas from other countries, many of which are safe or even better. Only four companies in the US control our baby formula manufacturing which constitutes 98% of the formula available. Abbott's share alone is over 40%. We need a more flexible, dynamic system when it comes to needed essentials. Stop trying to protect US corporations to the extent we have, as in many cases, they don’t deserve our fealty. — Stephen Podwojski
Public spaces: Roundtable: What's best to replace Broadview on Public Square in Galesburg?
Manufacturer and company needed to work more quickly
My understanding is that there are two major causes to the problem. The first and easiest to resolve is that a major manufacturer was shut down by the FDA because of some contamination. The solution to that is easier said than done: Manufacturer, clean your production facility as quickly as possible; FDA, inspect the facility the minute it is ready to go; both, together, get the line going as fast as possible!
The second cause is much more difficult because it involves politics and government bureaucracy. I’ve read of some governmental organization stock-pilling large quantities of the formula, shipping them to our southern border and providing to the infants of illegal immigrants. Yes, those kids need to be fed, too, but why should it be at the expense (pun intended) of our own citizens?
Other government programs, central-planning (always suspect), have also interfered with free markets, contributing to shortages. — Charlie Gruner
Making trade with Canada more difficult hasn't helped
Multiple factors have contributed to the shortage of baby formula. This includes contaminated products, COVID, hoarding, fewer new mothers breastfeeding, and a myopic trade policy caused by the previous administration. At the onset of the pandemic, hoarding caused extensive product shortages. Manufacturers had a difficult time keeping up with demand. As people used up their stockpiles, production was affected. Surprisingly, there are only a few players that manufacture baby formula, and that needs to change.
As patriotic as it seems to make everything in the United States, this is actually at the center of why the shortage has been so severe. The new NAFTA the United States entered under Trump has made it difficult to import more products from our second trading partner, Canada. Invoking the Defense Production Act was a necessary step to assist manufacturers. Limiting the amount parents can purchase is necessary. Encouraging women to rely more on breastfeeding as nutrition will help. Had we been better prepared at the onset of the pandemic, this wouldn't be as severe. — John Hunigan
Summer Galesburg: Roundtable: What are your favorite Galesburg summer events?
Baby formula shortage caused by government red tape
This is another government-created crisis. So, first, fire the officials who caused it! Starting at the top, this means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra.
In February the popular infant formula produced by Abbott Labs was suspected of having caused the deaths of four infants. The company immediately shut down production, recalled the products, and began an investigation. When the Center for Disease Control ruled that there was no connection between the formula and the infants’ deaths, Abbott Labs wanted to restart production. However, red tape delayed an agreement until May 16, after which it would take two weeks to restart — once approvals are obtained!
Becerra and Biden should have been on the phones to move this process along long before thinking of using a Korean War emergency power. Did LBJ not teach anybody anything?
Not our fault they say. Nothing is ever their fault. — William Urban
Galesburg streets: Roundtable: Should utility vehicles be allowed on Galesburg streets?
Politicians already playing the blame game
How in the heck should I know? This problem is terribly complex, involving supply chains, production shortages and potential public health threats and there is no easy or obvious solution.
But there is one group we can count on to know the answer: politicians. We’re already hearing from them. The Republicans blame over-regulation, bad planning and, of course, Joe Biden.
Democrats blame greedy corporations, Vladimir Putin and, of course, Donald Trump.
The truth is that it will take a while for the market to work this problem out despite the politicians who demand an immediate answer. The people who deserve sympathy and all the help we can give are parents with hungry children.
Whether he’s responsible or not, Biden will pay the political cost for this. It is one more thing giving the public a sense that our country is going in the wrong direction and Biden driving the bus. — Harry Bulkeley
The Community Roundtable runs each Sunday and is made up of local writers. Community writers answer one question each week in 150 words or fewer.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Roundtable: What to do about baby formula shortage
