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Health Canada Abbott Baby Formula Shortages Overview:
- Who: Health Canada says it is working to fill the specialized baby formula shortage and issued advice to impacted parents.
- Why: The shortage comes after an Abbott manufacturing plant closed in the United States due to an investigation following four infant hospitalizations.
- Where: Health Canada works throughout the country.
Health Canada issued a public advisory for parents facing a nationwide shortage of infant formulas designed for babies with food allergies and medical conditions.
In the May 19 advisory, Health Canada acknowledges the “distressing situation for parents” and says it is doing everything it can to mitigate the situation and provide parents with safe and healthy alternatives to the shortage.
The global shortage follows the closure of Abbott Laboratories’ large infant formula manufacturing plant in the United States.
Abbott recalled certain infant formulas under the Similac brand in the United States, and then Canada, due to possible contamination that is being investigated in relation to four babies hospitalized in the United States.
Abbot issued the Canadian recall on Feb. 17, and it applies to multiple infant formula products. Click here for a full list of the recalled products.
Now, national authorities are working overtime to find replacements for the specialized formulas that many babies rely on.
Health Canada Warns Parents Not to Make Homemade Formula
In Health Canada’s advisory, it recommends that affected parents speak to a healthcare professional to discuss their baby’s needs and possible alternative products.
“Do not make homemade formula, use other milk substitutes or acquire infant formula or breastmilk from unknown sources,” it says. “If you are combining bottle-feeding and breastfeeding, try to maintain your breastmilk supply and consult your healthcare professional if you need advice on an allergen-free diet.”
Health Canada also published an interim policy that recommends enforcement discretion to facilitate the importation of “equivalent and safe” infant formulas. It says it updates a list of products eligible for the policy regularly.
Health Canada says it is monitoring the supply situation and working with manufacturers to import the product where possible.
Abbott is also working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to safely resume production at its facility in the near term, the notice says.
Are you impacted by the formula shortage? Let us know your experience in the comments!
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