In 2022, a widespread infant formula shortage starkly illustrated the vulnerabilities within the U.S. food supply systems and highlighted the profound effects such shortages can have on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations—infants. As parents struggled to find basic nutrition for their babies, many resorted to desperate and unsafe measures. A 2023 study published in BMC Pediatrics revealed alarming statistics that shone a light on the lengths parents were willing to go to in order to feed their children.
The findings of the study indicated a dramatic increase in unsafe feeding practices among parents. Before the shortage, only 8% of formula-feeding parents used dangerous methods; by the height of the crisis, this percentage skyrocketed to nearly 50%. Particularly distressing was the increase in parents turning to homemade formulas, diluting their products with water, and sharing human milk informally. For instance, the practice of watering down formula rose from just 2% to an astonishing 29%. Furthermore, the sharing of human milk surged from 5% pre-crisis to 26% during the shortage. These figures spotlight not just a crisis of supply but a crisis of food security, which compromised the health of countless infants.
Many factors contributed to this shortage, with pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and the temporary closure of an Abbott Nutrition plant in Michigan being primary culprits. Abbott alone was responsible for over 40% of formula sales in the United States. The concentration of formula production among just a handful of companies—90% of the market is dominated by four manufacturers—meant that any disruption could have wide-reaching effects. Jennifer Smilowitz from UC Davis stresses that this level of market concentration exacerbates inequalities in access, particularly for low-income families who disproportionately relied on government assistance programs like WIC.
While some parents turned to pasteurized human donor milk from milk banks as a safer alternative during the crisis, access to such resources was limited by both availability and cost. The percentage of parents utilizing milk banks surged from 2% to 26%, yet obtaining this milk could be financially burdensome—often costing between $3 to $5 per ounce. This highlights an additional layer of inequity regarding access to safe feeding options during emergencies, further complicating the landscape for families in need.
The crisis also sparked conversations about the need for systemic change. Researchers emphasized the necessity of shifting healthcare and workplace policies to provide robust lactation support, as well as improving access to donor milk. Notably, inadequate paid parental leave can discourage breastfeeding, resulting in early transitions to formula feeding. The authors of the study advocate for a holistic approach that includes the integration of community resources and accessible information for families facing infant feeding challenges.
The lingering question remains: what will be the long-term consequences of this crisis on the children affected? Experts, including Smilowitz, note that while acute effects may be evident immediately, the full impact on child development, particularly cognitive growth and health, may take years to understand. This uncertainty adds another layer of anxiety for parents who are already grappling with the chaos that ensued during the shortage.
To prevent a recurrence of such a crisis, experts advocate for diversifying the supply chain for infant formula to avoid reliance on single factories or manufacturers. Key recommendations include fostering collaboration between non-federal groups, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, and federal agencies to maintain oversight and ensure a varied range of safe feeding options. Additionally, agencies should develop updated lists of formulas, particularly those that are subject to recalls, to facilitate better information flow among parents.
The 2022 infant formula shortage has undeniably altered the landscape of infant feeding in the United States, prompting a critical examination of the food system’s shortcomings. While the immediate crisis may have waned, the need for vigilance and systemic reform remains paramount. Parents and policymakers alike must continue to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable food supply to ensure that no family is left powerless in the face of such challenges. The lessons learned from this period must inform future strategies, ensuring that essential resources are both safe and readily accessible.