CC / Andrae Ricketts
In its continued efforts to get formula to families in need, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging state agencies and their infant formula manufacturers to consider seeking temporary flexibility in their infant formula contracts to allow WIC participants to purchase alternate sizes, forms, or brands of infant formula during the current shortage.
State agencies have contracts with one of three manufacturers to provide specific formula to WIC infants who are partially or fully formula-fed.
To maximize access for WIC participants, USDA is recommending state agencies, Rickett Mead Johnson (RMJ), and Gerber work together to consider temporarily allowing alternate brand formulas.
To help make this financially feasible, USDA is quickly leveraging the new Access to Baby Formula Act signed by President Biden and will cover the additional costs of alternate brand formulas in states that have contracts with RMJ or Gerber, if the contracted size, form, or brand of formula is unavailable.
In states with Abbott contracts, Abbott is currently covering that cost difference.
More information about USDA’s response can be found on Food and Nutrition Service’s Infant Formula Safety webpage.
