baby formula

Toxic metal can be harmful to developing brains. New lead targets are part of a broad FDA initiative to reduce children's exposure to the lowest levels possible.

The factory’s closure in February 2022 contributed to a nationwide baby formula shortage that forced parents to seek formula from food banks, friends and doctor’s offices. Production was restarted in June.

U.S. plants are making more baby formula than ever. But uneven distribution and overbuying means parents can run into empty store shelves.

According to Abbott, the products are being recalled because less than 1 percent of the bottle caps may not have sealed completely, which could result in spoilage.

U.S. health regulators say their response to the ongoing infant formula shortage was slowed by delays in processing a whistleblower complaint and test samples from the nation’s largest formula factory.

Sales of formulas designed for toddlers increased in recent years, but health experts warn parents that once children reach their first birthday, they are generally fine with cow or plant milk. And doctors say toddler formula should not be given to infants.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf says a nongovernmental research group will convene experts to deliver the evaluations within 60 business days.

Abbott's facility has now closed and reopened twice this year. The baby formula plant had previously closed in February because of bacterial contamination.

Constraints imposed by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, that prevent recipients from using benefits to buy formula across state lines weigh on families as the nationwide formula shortage drags on.

The Biden administration is trying to help foreign manufacturers stay in the U.S. market for the long term, in an effort to diversify the industry amid a nationwide shortage.