Utah Dept. of Health tries to keep up with baby formula demand
May 24, 2022, 3:05 PM | Updated: May 25, 2022, 7:20 am
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 13: Baby formula is offered for sale at a big box store on January 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Baby formula has been is short supply in many stores around the country for several months. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s Department of Health says they are working on solutions to keep up with baby formula demand after a national formula plant closed.
In UDOH’s Twitter thread, hypoallergenic formulas are in the shortest supply and will go to hospitals, doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, Utah’s WIC office is working with other suppliers to get formula brands across the state.
The national supplier, Abbott, is shipping premixed formulas, and those should be hitting Utah stores soon.
Similac formulas are still in supply and are safe to use, according to UDOH.
The Utah WIC office is working with suppliers to increase the distribution of other formula brands to the state.
— Utah Dept. of Health (@UtahDepOfHealth) May 23, 2022
The formula shortage began after a major Abbott factory closed down for more than three months because of contamination problems.
Abbott’s CEO apologized, saying they know millions of parents and caregivers depend on them, and they are deeply sorry that their voluntary recall worsened the nationwide formula shortage.
University of Utah Health experts held a press conference on May 17 to help guide parents on healthy alternatives and warn against making homemade formulas.
