Before the pandemic, the normal out-of-stock range for powdered formula was 5% to 7%, according to IRI. New data shows that nationally 23% of powdered baby formula was out of stock in the week ended May 22, compared with 21% during the previous week, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing figures from the market-research firm IRI.īefore the recall of the Abbott formula, 11% of powdered baby formula was out of stock because of covid pandemic-related supply-chain shortages and inflation. Minorities and lower-income families have been hit hardest by the crisis, which was sparked when Abbott Nutrition had to close its Michigan plant over safety concerns, resulting in bare grocery shelves, an uptick in prices and frantic parents. The pressure is on President Joe Biden as the baby formula shortage is getting worse around the United States, particularly in the South and among the poor.
