After one of the nation’s biggest baby formula companies recalled multiple products, with one brand halting production in its key manufacturing facility, more than 40 percent of the supplemental mixes of formula have been out of stock across the country. A Georgia woman impacted by the shortage made a public plea to help her feed her twins, and people from all over the country responded to her video in an overwhelming manner.
Only a few months before the shortage, mother Quinn Shealey, a Georgia realtor, prematurely gave birth to her beautiful twin daughters, Alani and Alana.
Because of their early arrival at 33 weeks, the two girls have food allergies and digestive issues so severe that the Chamblee resident could only feed them with a specific kind of baby formula from Enfamil called Nutramigen, a hypoallergenic blend palatable for their delicate systems. However, with the shortage, she became challenged to find the brand at local stores.
The mother of five told WAGA-TV Fox5 Atlanta she traveled to store after store, but to no avail. The stores, like so many throughout the United States, were out. She was especially troubled to find the specialty brand.
During a broadcast about coping with the shortage, she shared with the viewers, “Yesterday I visited 25 stores, called upwards of 50 stores. No one has it.”
The mother said she tried everything, including breastfeeding, but she couldn’t produce enough milk for her daughters. As her rations grew thin, she tried to supplement the children’s formula with cereal, apple juice and water.
In a home video made Monday, June 27, she demonstrated how her children responded to her substitutes. As she tries to give one some water, people see the baby wants her normal routine.
“This is the third water bottle of the day,” Shealey is heard saying. “And this time she’s not really interested. She’s getting frustrated. And, at this point, I don’t know what to do because I physically can’t feed my children,” she said in the now-viral video.
The nationwide drought started in early 2022 after Abbott, the country’s biggest infant formula manufacturer, recalled several products from stores and stopped all production in its Michigan plant for a few months after dangerous bacteria was found at the site, according to CNBC.
So dire an impact on the industry, Datasembly, a retail tracking group, reported by April 24 40 percent of the baby formula was out of stock on average in American stores. This deficit almost doubled from the month before.
“Unfortunately, we don’t see this slowing down any time soon,” Datasembly CEO Ben Reich said in a statement. “Inflation, supply chain shortages, and product recalls have continued to bring volatility to the category and continues to be one of the most affected products in the market.”
Four babies became sick after consuming formula produced at the plant and two of those children died from their illnesses.
Now families regardless of demographic are scavenging to feed their babies.
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton tweeted his concerns: “The formula shortage is a national crisis, hitting poor moms and kids the hardest. The FDA needs to immediately step up, be transparent, explain how it will get production restarted, and give parents a timeline.”
The video Shealey made was amplified by her interview on the news platform and pushed out her plight to millions of people. And now, she says the response has been overwhelming and her phone has not stopped ringing.
“I have lots of formula now,” Shealey reveals. “Lots of support and people reaching out (saying), ‘Hey, I see it here!’ I mean, literally, people from every state. My phone is ringing non-stop.”
Within days she said the donations started to pour in. She said it “restored” her “faith in humanity.”
“I’ve had people sending formula from Chicago, Nevada, Florida, lots of people from Florida, Alabama.”
Now Shealey says her cupboards are stocked with formula, but notes that other moms, with fewer resources and no bullhorn to ask for help, are still struggling. She is encouraging the angels who reached out to help her to donate to baby supply banks.
“It’s amazing how many people were touched and were willing to reach out to me,” Shealey said. “I think we are great right now. Help the other moms. There are tons of other moms.”
Jamie Lackey, the CEO of Helping Mamas, a baby supply bank in Norcross, Georgia, echoed Shealey’s suggestion, adding a directive, “The best way people can help right now is that if they want to bring unopened, unexpired formula to our office; it’s in Norcross, it’s on our website, www.HelpingMamas.org/donate/. We also have drop-offs throughout the city that you can check off on our website.”
When the formula comes in, Lackey says, mothers from all different backgrounds are happy to receive the support.
“I think we feel their relief, and you see it on their faces, when they get it,” Lackey said. “But at the same time, there is also a sense of heartbreak because we’re only able to give a can, and that lasts a week, and we think ‘what’s next? How much longer is this going to go on?’ “
Out of all food product shortages, experts say, formula shortages are especially dangerous because they will impact the health of that generation for years to come.
Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, is one of the loudest voices speaking out.
On behalf of the advocacy group for women, infants and children, he said, “Unlike other food recalls, shortages in the infant formula supply affects a major — or even exclusive — source of nutrition for babies. Inadequate nutrition could have long-term health implications for babies.”
That’s especially since reports now reveal ordering the formulas through the brands’ websites or major online retailers like Walmart, Target or Sam’s Club will be challenging for mothers assisted through the WIC program. The benefits do not cover online purchases, at least not now.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while no states currently allow WIC recipients to use the benefits online, there are conversations about changing those rules by 2023.
