Sarbanes Addresses Infant Formula Shortage

Statement

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today voted for two bills to address the nationwide infant formula shortage by restoring supply chains and improving access to infant formula for women and children through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children's (WIC) program.

The Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 7790) would equip the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the resources to respond to the current shortage, ensure the safety of existing baby formula supplies and prevent future crises. As the current shortage has disproportionately affected our nation's most vulnerable families, the Access to Baby Formula Act (H.R. 7791), cosponsored by Congressman Sarbanes, would provide flexibility for women and children enrolled in the WIC program to purchase additional varieties of formula with those benefits.

"Far too many Marylanders have faced the distress and panic of the infant formula shortage. This is a danger to infants and an unacceptable reality for families," said Congressman Sarbanes. "This legislation would call on the FDA to use all available tools to get and keep more safe infant formula on the shelves. Since nearly half of infant formula supplies are purchased using WIC benefits, this legislation would also provide needed flexibility to ensure that low-income families can get more brands of formula. We must improve access to safe formula products and ensure this never happens again."

This legislation builds on the Biden Administration's actions to address the infant formula shortage, including:

Working directly with infant formula manufacturers;
Cracking down on unfair market practices;
Invoking the Defense Production Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain; and
Increasing importation of safe baby formula from abroad.

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