Sites like eBay and Craigslist are formulating exorbitant prices. A recent MIT Technology Review search revealed many sellers asking for more than $300 for 12 containers of baby food on eBay, for about $25 each. Typically, these containers will sell for between $7 and $10.
Moore says that welfare-seeking parents are particularly stressed. They get their checks at the beginning of the month and have to scramble to beat other desperate parents — if they can — to get the specific brands of formula allowed by the welfare rules, as mandated by Abbott. , Gerber and Mead Johnson produced.
Despite the FDA agreement, the crisis could worsen over the next few months, as supply chain problems continue and FDA continues to monitor production to keep formula safe. That could create another health crisis in babies who are forced to wean formula too soon, possibly leading to nutritional deficiencies and hospitalizations.
According to Lindsay Groff, executive director of the North American Association of Breastmilk Banks, an important way to help combat shortages may lie in women donating excess breast milk. She said a shortage of formula has led to a 20% increase in demand at milk banks across the US – but not enough milk to sell. She hopes that parents can spread this information online, urging their followers to donate breast milk if they can.
