Monday 16 May 2022 07:28 AM Why won't Biden allow baby formula imports NOW to ease crisis? trends now
Concerned parents are slamming President Joe Biden's response to the nationwide infant formula crisis, despite his claims that it should improve dramatically in coming weeks as the government works with manufacturers to allow more importation of the product.
'We're going to be, in a matter of weeks or less, getting significantly more formula on shelves,' Biden said on Friday after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was working to streamline a process that will get more products on U.S. shelves while meeting safety, quality and labeling standards.
Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said the agency will announce plans next week detailing how manufacturers and suppliers abroad will be able to import their products into the U.S., as well as new options for American companies.
The $4 billion U.S. baby formula market is dominated by domestic producers, with imports limited and subject to high tariffs.
'We believe these and other ongoing efforts will help dramatically improve the supply in the U.S. in a matter of weeks,' Califf wrote on Twitter. 'Our data indicates that in stock rates in retail stores are stabilizing but we continue to work around the clock to further increase availability.'
Menawhile, the head of one of the four companies that control 90 percent of the U.S. market for baby formula on Friday warned he expects shortages and heightened demand for formula to last for the 'balance of the year.'
Caregivers are also criticizing the president's remarks, alleging his administration has failed to address the problem.
'This is unacceptable,' Chris Skates, whose three-month-old grandson requires a special formula due to stomach sensitivity, told DailyMail.com. 'FDA under Biden is beyond incompetent!'
Concerned parents are slamming President Joe Biden's response to the nationwide infant formula crisis, despite his claims that it should improve dramatically in coming weeks as the government works with manufacturers to allow more importation of the product. An empty shelf meant to hold formula stock is pictured in Virginia on May 13, 2022
Biden (left) said the formula crisis should improve dramatically in coming weeks as the government works with manufacturers to allow more importation of the product. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf (right) said the agency will announce plans next week detailing how manufacturers and suppliers abroad will be able to import their products into the U.S., as well as new options for American companies
Biden on Friday said his administration was working hard on the matter and had 'nothing more urgent' on its plate.
'I'll answer the baby from the question because all of a sudden it's on the front page of every newspaper,' he said. 'This is a process we working very, very hard. There's nothing more urgent we're working on that right now. And I think we're really making some significant progress.'
The president also lashed out at critics as he defended his administration's actions to relieve the shortage that has panicked parents worried about feeding their babies.
'If we'd been better mind readers, I guess we could have,' Biden said when asked if his administration should have acted sooner.
However, his remarks have not eased parents' worry and, in some sense, has seemingly fueled the negativity against him.
'As the parent of a newborn, the baby formula supply issue was apparent three months ago,' Rocky Fernandez, of Oakland, California, tweeted Sunday night. 'A few sample canisters we were shipped for free were recalled, and when I first went to buy some it was already limited to five items per customer. Defense Production Act, IDGAF, fix it Biden.'
'You all remember that time a FDA goon not understanding how the economy works closed down a baby formula factory and caused a supply chain malfunction and then mothers could not find formula in the stores?' echoed another social media user. 'And Biden was like 'what's going on, come on man.' Bad times, bad times.'
The nationwide out-of-stock percentage of formula reached 40 percent the week beginning April 24, according to Datasembly. That's an increase from 31 percent at the start of April
More than half of U.S. states are seeing out-of-stock rates between 40 percent and 50 percent, according to the firm, which collects data from 11,000 locations
Lisa Marie, a resident of Alaska, shared a photo online of an empty formula shelf in at a Target in her hometown and questioned Biden's role in improving the situation.
'@POTUS this is the baby formula in my town in Alaska this evening. You have an emergency on your hands,' she tweeted on Sunday. 'What are you doing to fix this today? Unbelievable in this country. This is happening on your watch under your administration.'
'Never in my life I would of thought that the richest country in the world would run out of baby formula! This regime in the White House is truly EVIL!' another Twitter user slammed.
Others criticized Biden's Administration for allowing baby formula to be shipped to families at the southern border when American families are facing a shortage of powdered infant milk.
'Stop giving baby formula to illegals first like Biden Admin is doing trying to get them votes,' wrote Matthew Lauvray. 'America comes first Joe not LAST.'
'How bout get yr *** to the border and grab all those cans of baby formula u sent there instead, wiener,' another Twitter user stated.
'Suddenly, Biden, Pelosi & their left-wing follower
