US President Joe Biden invokes the Defense Production Act to end the infant formula shortage

*Paromita Das

President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act on Wednesday to speed up the production of infant formula and end a severe shortage in the United States. Not only that, but the president has authorised flights to bring in supplies from other countries. The domestic shortage is the result of the closure of the country’s largest formula manufacturing plant due to safety concerns. The situation has deteriorated to the point where political pressure is being applied to the president.

“I know parents across the country are concerned about finding enough formula to feed their babies,” Biden said in a video statement released by the White House. I know how stressful that is as a parent and a grandparent.”

In a statement, Biden stated, “I’ve directed my team to do everything possible to ensure there is enough safe baby formula and that it is quickly reaching families who need it the most.”

Biden has also authorised the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to obtain high-quality formula supplies from overseas. The White House has dubbed it “Operation Fly Formula.”

In a letter sent on Wednesday, Biden also directed the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to collaborate with the Pentagon to find a solution elsewhere.
Why should mothers not make their own baby formula? Here’s what experts have to say about it.

As a result of a nationwide shortage of baby formula, some mothers in the United States are opting to make their own infant formula substitutes.

As the country faces an acute shortage of baby formula, US President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to give baby formula manufacturers priority in supplies.

The crisis has arisen as a result of a storm of supply chain issues and a massive recall. But the question here is whether mothers should feed their babies homemade baby formula. Is it secure?

Importantly, many families rely on baby formula. People are returning to work as the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns lift, including mothers who have just given birth. In such cases, they are unable to breastfeed and must rely on baby formula.

Parents are desperate because they fear their infants will go hungry while they wait for substitutes. According to Google Trends, searches for “how to make baby formula at home” have increased 2400% in the last month, according to a BBC report.

Experts warn against the use of ‘homebrew.’

According to the BBC report, Dr. Steven Abrams has warned against using homemade baby formula. Dr. Abrams previously chaired the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. “The standard by which we develop infant formula is breast milk,” said Dr. Abrams. “We’ve gotten a lot better at understanding breast milk.” If they aren’t breastfeeding, [the formula] must contain all of the nutrients.”

Dr. Abrams continued, “Homemade substitutes can be dangerous in the first months of infancy because the baby needs nutrients like iron in its diet at this stage, which is critical for brain development.”

According to the report, the homemade formulas also pose sterility issues. Regular use can lead to severe malnutrition. It can be fatal in extreme cases.
One recipe, said to be from 1960, has been making the rounds on social media forums. Parents are encouraged to combine evaporated milk, water, and Karo corn syrup.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against homemade formulas.

Tanya Altmann, a parenting book author and the founder of Calabasas Pediatrics in California, told AFP: “I tell my patients not to make their own infant formula. It will not meet your baby’s nutritional needs, can be harmful to their growth and development, and may even make your baby sick.”
“Karo syrup was once used to help relieve constipation, but it is no longer recommended because it is ineffective and may even contain harmful bacteria,” she added.

According to Azza Ahmed, an associate professor of nursing at Purdue University, homemade formula can expose a baby to “contamination and infection.”

She added that formula should never be watered down because this can quickly lead to a nutritional imbalance.