'I hit panic mode': Baby formula shortage worrying new parents
Empty shelves, a lack of options, and crying children; the ongoing baby formula shortage in the United States has made its way to Ottawa, and new parents say they’re desperate for answers.
“I hit panic mode as soon as I saw the shelves. Not only was there not the formula I needed, there was no formula at all. No brands, no different age categories, it was literally empty,” Melissa Lamb said.
Lamb says she stopped at four different stores before finding baby formula for her two-month old daughter, Lola.
“When you find some, you’re like, ‘I need to buy all of it that they have on the shelves.’ I didn’t because I want to save some for other moms who maybe aren’t as fortunate as me, who can obviously breastfeed,” Lamb said.
According to an audit from Field Agent Canada, baby formula is 21 per cent out of stock on Canadian shelves and slightly higher in Ottawa at 26 per cent. The shortages are a far cry from the estimated 40 per cent in the United States, but parents say they’re still concerned.
“I’m starting to get anxious again that we’re not going to be able to find it,” Janelle Côté said.
Côté’s six-month old daughter, Evie, suffers from acid reflux, and relies on Similac Sensitive formula; one of the many Similac products that were part of a major recall in the United States.
The recall ultimately led to a shutdown of baby formula maker Abbott’s Sturgis, Michigan facility; a major factor in the increasing supply issues.
“Within a month of taking this formula, we noticed it was gone. There was nothing. The shelves were constantly bare and then we found out there was a recall and that the recall was affecting other formulas because parents were having to buy our brand,” Côté said.
U.S. officials on Monday reached an agreement to allow Abbott to restart its largest domestic factory, though it will be two months or more before any new products ship from the site and retail experts in Canada say it could several weeks after shipping before shelves in Ottawa return to normal.
“I think you’re going to see something that’s four to six weeks from when that product starts to flow to when we start seeing a recovery at store level and that’s really assuming that consumers don’t continue to panic buy,” Jeff Doucette, General Manager of Field Agent Canada said.
The Ottawa Food Bank says the supply shortage has been affecting them for months, with some formula nearly impossible to purchase.
“In particular formula stage one has been almost impossible for us to find. Since January we’ve seen a 75 per cent decrease in the amount of formula we’ve been able to put out into the community,” Rachael Wilson, Executive Director of the Ottawa Food Bank said.
Wilson says 80 per cent of the formula the food bank receives is now donated items.
“We’ve never experienced anything like this. Having to order and pray that it shows up, it’s really challenging and stressful,” she added.
The supply chain delays mean Ottawa families will likely be forced to continue their hunt for formula for the next several weeks.
“I’m going to be at the mercy again of being on my phone, checking all these stocks at Walmart,” Côté said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.