Kingston baby formula plant months away from producing domestic supply: expert
As baby formula shortages continue to cause concerns for parents both at home and in the United States, there is a facility in Kingston, Ont. that makes formula. However, it doesn't make baby formula for Canada, it's shipped overseas.
The switch to making domestic supply is not so simple.
The Canada Royal Milk Plant was built in 2019 and produces cows milk and goats milk baby formula, and it’s ramping up production.
Right now, it ships all of its product to China, where its larger corporation Feihe International Inc. is based.
Sylvain Charlebois is a food expert with Dalhousie University. He says it’s one of two plants at locations around the world for the company to supply its consumers in Asia with baby formula.
"My understanding is that all of the production is shipped to China because China had a major baby formula crisis back in 2008," he explains.
In a statement, Carey Bidtnes with Canada Royal Milk says the company is working with Health Canada to approve producing infant formula to sell in Canada.
"(Canada Royal Milk) will be able to sell products domestically once the regulatory process is complete and approvals granted," Bidtnes explains.
However, the company could not give a timeline, saying the pandemic has impacted operations.
"This has delayed timelines for entry into the domestic and North American markets," writes Bidtnes.
The plant received $225 million in government funding, and uses Ontario and Quebec milk supplies.
It also employs more than 150 people.
Charlebois says it was not required to provide the product to Canada, because it was being built during NAFTA renegotiations.
"They thought the plant would become a threat to the three main manufacturers in the US," he says. “And that’s why, ironically, even though the plant is 30 kilometres away from the border it cannot ship baby formula to the states and help."
He says the ability for the plant to create supply here at home is months away.
"The plant in the U.S. will restart in about 6 to 8 weeks so it’s not going to fix our short-term problem. But it will fix a much longer-term problem," he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.