Infant formula missing on stores shelves in Fallbrook and Bonsall

Karen Ossenfort

with Caden Pearson

And courtesy of Epoch Times

The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, May 24 launched an inquiry into the ongoing shortage of formula.

In a statement, the FTC said the inquiry seeks information on the "nature and prevalence of any deceptive, fraudulent, or otherwise unfair business practices aimed at taking advantage of families during this shortage."

The inquiry also seeks to find out what factors "have led to concentration in the infant formula market and the fragility of the supply chains for these crucial products," the FTC said.

Locally, Major Market Customer Service Representative Fany Lopez said the store only has Similac Sensitive, Similac Advanced and Enfamil Prosobe, and none of the most consumed brands.

Albertson's Customer Service Representative Vanessa Bonitas said it's similar at their store. "We only have the plant-based Enfamil and Enfamil Soy. We don't have any of the most popular ones."

Daniel's Market Manager Mary Nelsen said they only have Similac Advanced and Enfamil AR. "We order twice a week, and we get what we get," Nelsen said.

Erika Mota, a manager at Northgate Market, said its infant formula is locked up. "We don't have all the formula we used to have," Mota said. She said when they do get a supply in, it's a limited buy of six cans per week per customer. "The only formula we have right now is the Enfamil Formula," she said.

For those hoping to make their own infant formula, here is one from https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/homemade-baby-formula-that-is-safe-nutritionally-sound-and-doctor-approved/. It is reprinted courtesy of Everyday Cheapskate, Mary Hunt's online site.

According to Hunt, David Jockers, DNM, DC, MS is a doctor of natural medicine, functional nutritionist, and corrective care chiropractor. He is the founder of Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Dr. Jockers and his wife, Angel, adapted (from Weston A. Price Foundation where you can learn even more) and developed this homemade-from-scratch recipe for baby formula when Angel was unable to produce enough breastmilk to well-nourish their twin baby boys, Hunt explained.

Hunt said, "The recipe is specific (don't leave out a single item unless marked as optional) and uses ingredients easily located either locally at your drugstore or health food store, or online. I will give you as many links and resources as possible, some from Dr. Jocker's website store.

"Let me give my own warning: Initially, it will not be cheap to acquire all of the ingredients. However, each batch of formula uses only a small amount, so your initial investment should last for quite a long time."

"One last thing: If you opt to make homemade baby formula, make sure you run this by your doctor, pediatrician, or other health professional first for his or her approval. I am not a doctor, and I try very hard to not play one on this blog," Hunt said.

Ingredients

• 2 cups filtered water

• 2 tsp collagen protein

• 4 tbsp lactose

• 2 cups raw whole, grass-fed, or reg whole milk

• 2 tbsp heavy cream

• 1 capsule's contents Lacto (optional for lactose digestion support)

• ¼ tsp acerola powder

• ¼ tsp infant probiotics

• 2 tsp nutritional yeast flakes

• ½ tsp cod liver oil

• 1 tsp cold-pressed sunflower oil

• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tsp coconut oil

• ¼ tsp butter oil (optional)

Instructions

1. For links to locate the specific ingredients go to EverydayCheapskate.com/babyformula

2. Pour one cup of the filtered water into a pan over medium heat

3. Add collagen protein and lactose to the warming water to dissolve, stirring occasionally.

4. While the collagen and lactose are dissolving, place milk in a clean, glass blender and add the remaining ingredients, make sure to open the Lacto capsule and add only its contents, not the capsule itself.

5. Then remove the pan from the heat and pour in the remaining half of the water to cool.

6. Next, add 2 teaspoons coconut oil and (optional) ¼ teaspoon butter to the water to melt.

7. Add the water mixture to the blender ingredients and blend for about 3 seconds.

8. Pour the blended ingredients into glass jars and refrigerate.

9. Nutrition is for one 8-oz. serving: Cal 108 Fat 4g Total Carbohydrates 4g; Sugars 3g Protein 3g

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's initial response to complaints about Abbott's infant formula plant was "too slow" and some decisions could have been "more optimal," the FDA's top official said while facing a grilling from lawmakers Wednesday, May 25.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf appeared before a congressional panel to answer questions about the FDA's handling of events that led to the biggest infant formula shortage in recent U.S. history after Abbott in February recalled some products and closed its Sturgis manufacturing plant.

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), chair of the panel, raised the question of the "timeline of FDA's investigation and response," citing a "four-month lapse before returning to inspect the Sturgis facility," and a delay in contacting a former Abbott employee whistleblower.

Lawmakers heard that senior FDA officials only saw the complaint in February because of pandemic-related mail routing issues.

Califf acknowledged that the "FDA's timeliness of interviewing the whistleblower and getting into the facility for a for-cause inspection were too slow. And some decisions in retrospect could have been more optimal."

"While there are many steps along the way where different actions could have sped up the sequence of events, to this day, I can find no evidence of intentional delay or malfeasance," he said.

The FDA inspected the plant following reports of bacterial infections in babies allegedly linked to Abbott's formula, and the whistleblower complaint in late October.

But an investigation by the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "could not conclude" that the "egregiously unsanitary conditions" at the Abbott plant caused the illnesses in the infants.

"However, we cannot rule it out either. There's a confluence of events that's highly unusual. There is no dispute that the facility was unacceptably unsanitary, as evidenced by the consent decree. Frankly, the inspection results were shocking," he said.

Califf noted that inspectors found cracks in vital equipment, a lack of adequate handwashing, evidence of previous bacterial contamination, and water leaks in areas where formula is produced, a risk factor for bacteria.

It is critical to return the Sturgis plant to safe production of infant formula as soon as possible, Califf said, because Abbott holds the largest market share in America, "leaving it with a responsibility" to produce safe formula "that was not met."

Abbott did not have a contingency plan to produce its lines of specialty formulas that serve as the only source of nutrition for thousands of babies with metabolic disorders, lawmakers heard.

"We will do everything in our power to work with Abbott to make this happen as quickly and safely as possible. But this timing is in Abbott's control," Califf said.

Reflecting on the FDA's role in exacerbating the formula shortage, Califf cited chronic underfunding of the FDA as one issue that needs to be addressed, hinting that "you will see changes in the future."

"Our requests for funding and authority are essential in concert with improved operations and leadership," he said.

For the sake of expediency, the FDA entered a consent decree with Abbott, which allows the company to avoid litigation by pledging to voluntary act to improve and address deficiencies. An outside official will have full oversight of "every single step."

Abbott said on Tuesday, May 24 that it planned to reopen the plant on June 4.

Reuters and Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.