Would you be surprised that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-biden-official-claims-administration-knew-about-baby-formula-shortage-last-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President Joe Biden&#8217;s Food and Drug Administration</a> learned nothing from its nationwide baby formula debacle last year?
Well, I hope not, because that might make you a Democrat if you were amazed by that. Of course, the leftists haven&#8217;t learned the error of their ways. That&#8217;s what makes them the Left; &#8220;Self-reflection and correction&#8221; is not exactly their style and they always have a scapegoat to blame for their problems (white men, former president Donald Trump, not enough federal power, etc).
Anyway, a new report claims that the FDA repeated nearly the exact same mistakes it made in 2022 with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/baby-formula-recalled-nationwide-over-possible-bacterial-contamination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the recent Reckitt baby formula shortage</a> recall — albeit on a smaller scale <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-says-he-became-aware-of-baby-formula-shortage-in-early-april" target="_blank" rel="noopener">than the one in 2022</a> that left mothers and fathers searching far and wide for nourishment for their newborns.
In February 2023, Reckitt recalled thousands of its products from U.S. store shelves due to potential bacteria contamination. Yet the genesis of that problem didn&#8217;t start in February, it actually started at least in November 2022 and possibly earlier.
The FDA, according to POLITICO, made note of contamination last fall but apparently waited until a second inspection in February to announce a recall.
“It’s stunning that it’s almost identical to what happened in 2021,” Mitzi Baum, CEO of STOP Foodborne Illness, told POLITICO. “Lessons have not been learned.”
What should have been done, according to Baum, is that the FDA should have been proactive.
“FDA continues to be reactive,” Baum explained. “It’s the internal processes that have not been fixed, if this is happening again.”
<a class="c-link" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-7525">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
The FDA, however, claims that it is on the industry to correct its problems and comply with existing standards. The Deputy Director of the Regulatory Affairs Center for Science in the Public Interest Sarah Sorscher says that that excuse doesn&#8217;t make much sense.
“They need to do better,” Sorscher told POLITICO.
Sorscher even pointed out that the FDA had already found safety issues relating to &#8220;sanitation issues&#8221; at the plant in question in July of 2022.
&#8220;If something like that is coming up, FDA should be back in there sooner to ensure that the corrective actions were adequate,&#8221; Sorscher told the media outlet. &#8220;That’s a problem.&#8221;
What is the FDA&#8217;s solution? Well, its leaders say that it needs more government power so that it can demand records from these companies.
It sounds as if the FDA hadn&#8217;t exhausted all of its existing regulatory powers regarding baby formula issues, however, and were late to the ball in following up once an original problem was found in the Reckitt plant.
That sort of sums the federal government up: Federal agencies are granted certain authority, federal employees fail to exercise said authority due to laziness or incompetence, and Federal agency leaders respond by saying more government control is needed to solve the solution. by pointing their fingers at everybody else.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

President Joe Biden

‘It’s Stunning’: Biden’s FDA Still Stinks, Failing To Properly Address Baby Formula Safety Issues

'It's Stunning': Biden's FDA Still Stinks, Failing To Properly Address Baby Formula Safety Issues

America

baby formula shortage

Biden Administration

Executive

Federal Government

Joe Biden

U.S.

United States

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Fed Hikes
The Federal Reserve <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-reserve-hikes-target-interest-rates-by-quarter-point-as-officials-balance-fighting-inflation-and-protecting-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised interest rates</a> by a quarter point on Wednesday as officials tried to balance two conflicting problems — the risk that inflation could remain high, and the threat that higher borrowing costs could fuel more turmoil in the banking system. The move pushed interest rates to a range of 4.75 to 5 percent while forecasting one more rate increase in 2023.
No Trump Indictment
The Manhattan Grand Jury charged with determining whether to indict former President Trump over alleged illegal hush-money payments was told not to convene on Wednesday — delaying a possible arrest of Trump. One source close to the matter claimed that a vote will likely not happen this week, even if the jury reconvenes on Thursday.
Russia-China Lovefest
Chinese leader Xi Jinping put on a show of solidarity with Russian President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/vladimir-putin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vladimir Putin</a> with his three-day state visit to Moscow that began on Monday.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Xi spent his time in Russia’s capital negotiating and signing statements with Putin that <a href="http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/70748" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seek to strengthen economic cooperation</a> between their nations over the next decade — ties which offer Putin a lifeline after Western nations levied sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine.
&#8220;It looks like the West indeed intends to fight Russia until the last Ukrainian,&#8221; Putin also said. &#8220;Russia will respond accordingly.&#8221;
Xi and Putin also signed a statement urging “the international community to support constructive efforts” toward “<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-back-peace-talks-ukraine-war-blame-nato-no-offer-withdraw-china-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responsible dialogue</a>.” Meanwhile, Putin announced Wednesday that Russia now supports the use of the Chinese yuan to conduct transactions between Asia, Africa, and Latin America — a move that could weaken the strength of the U.S. dollar.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-441512">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
Israeli Military General Says Israeli Strike Against Iran &#8220;Would Be Bad For Everbody&#8221;
Likewise, also caused in part due to Russia’s war, a retired Israeli military general says that the window to prevent an Israeli strike against <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran</a>’s growing nuclear program is closing quickly. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce joined Afternoon Update with more:
<blockquote>Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi said this week that the United States’ retreat from the Middle East is limiting Israel’s chances to avoid conflict. Avivi said a strike against Iran, which could come within three months to a year, is “bad for everybody.” 
Meanwhile, China and Russia have grown their influence in the Middle East, and it’s that influence that has propelled the region toward conflict. China has helped the Iranian regime build influence in the region, while Russia may provide Iran’s military with powerful defense systems to protect its nuclear program. The Russian tech in particular is what concerns Israeli leaders because it would make Iranian infrastructure that much harder to take out.</blockquote>
Baby Formula Shortage Investigation
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee is setting its sights on the Biden administration’s mishandling of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baby-formula-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baby formula shortage</a> of 2022. Daily Wire’s Tim Meads reported on Afternoon Update:
<blockquote>&#8220;Several weeks out, we&#8217;ll have a surplus of formula,&#8221; FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said months ago, adding, “When I say several, I can&#8217;t say exactly how many weeks until then we have to fill it.”
That was FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf saying months ago he was optimistic about the nationwide baby formula shortage coming to an end. This week, Oversight Committee Chairman Representative <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/james-comer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Comer</a> (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) sent a <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Letter-to-FDA-re-Restructure-and-baby-formula-118th.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to the FDA Commissioner requesting documents related to the government’s response to the formula shortage. The two lawmakers blasted the FDA for not taking any real accountability for mishandling the crisis.</blockquote>
Roman Mosaic Found?
And for history lovers, archeologists believe they have recently discovered the remains of a Roman bathhouse and a villa with an intricate, colorful brick mosaic in Olney, England. The mosaic was found during the construction of an Aldi grocery store when a crew of trained experts was called in to handle the historic find.
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Wednesday

Wednesday Afternoon Update: Fed Hikes, Russia-China Lovefest, No Trump Indictment Yet

China

Donald Trump

Federal Reserve

General

History

Israel

Morning Wire

Podcast

Russia

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee is setting its sights on the Biden administration&#8217;s mishandling of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baby-formula-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baby formula shortage</a> of 2022.
Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/james-comer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Comer</a> (R-KY) and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) sent a <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Letter-to-FDA-re-Restructure-and-baby-formula-118th.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf requesting documents related to the government&#8217;s response to the nationwide baby formula shortage. The two lawmakers blasted the FDA for not taking any real accountability for mishandling the crisis.
&#8220;The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is continuing its investigation into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) response to the infant formula shortage and its restructuring of the food and nutrition division in response to the infant formula shortage,&#8221; the two lawmakers wrote in their letter. &#8220;The Reagan-Udall Foundation’s report titled &#8216;<a href="https://reaganudall.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/Human%20Foods%20Program%20Independent%20Expert%20Panel%20Final%20Report%20120622.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Operational Evaluation of the FDA Human Foods Program</a>,&#8217; found that there was ‘little motivation, and no requirement,’ to ‘facilitate critical thinking and proactive decision-making’ during the infant formula shortage. Despite this report, and the acknowledged need for a major overhaul, you stated that there would be no reassignments nor firings over the administration’s response to the infant formula shortage.&#8221;
Comer and McClain also blasted the FDA for shuffling around the food safety and nutrition division instead of firing or reassigning the employees who mishandled the crisis, or taking any kind of real accountability. &#8220;As the administration scrambled to contain the issue, families across the nation were presented with the question of how they would feed the infants in their families and communities,&#8221; the lawmakers wrote. &#8220;Now, instead of removing or reassigning the individuals at fault for the poor response to this crisis, the announced restructuring of the food and nutrition division simply requires certain offices and personnel to report to the newly created position of Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. The Committee is concerned that the FDA’s restructuring is a superficial attempt—rather than a real effort—to bring accountability and make meaningful changes.&#8221;
The Committee then demanded that the FDA turn over a trove of documents related to the crisis, including documents and communications:
<ul>
<li>Between the White House and the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services related to the shortage;</li>
<li>About the FDA&#8217;s reorganization plan for the food safety and nutrition division;</li>
<li>The selection process for a Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods;</li>
<li>The decision not to fire or reassign any individual involved in the response;</li>
<li>Outlining the procedures transitioning those units affected by the reorganization;</li>
<li>Outlining the timeline for implementation of the reorganization.</li>
</ul>
The committee demanded all documents before April 4.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-441512">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
News of the nationwide shortage of baby formula began in early 2022. President Joe Biden said he had been aware of the shortage since early <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-says-he-became-aware-of-baby-formula-shortage-in-early-april" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April</a>, and HHS Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-biden-official-claims-administration-knew-about-baby-formula-shortage-last-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xavier Becerra</a> said the administration had known about it since 2021; but no one in the administration publicly addressed it until May 2022. President Joe Biden was forced to import formula from foreign countries in an effort to get product on store shelves.
Families are still feeling the effects of the shortage, nearly a year after it began. According to a report from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/08/us-baby-formula-shortage-one-year-later" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a> earlier this month, shelves are still empty in some areas and certain brands are out of stock or limited, while the companies that make formula are facing scrutiny from federal regulators and investigators.

Baby formula

House Oversight Committee Investigating Biden Administration Mishandling Of Baby Formula Shortage

Congress

House Republicans

James Comer

Politics

Consumer goods company Reckitt announced a recall of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baby-formula" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baby formula</a> products across the United States on Sunday due to possible bacterial contamination.
The company said two batches of ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula may have been cross-contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii, a species often linked to powdered formulas and possibly deadly to infants, according to a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/infection-and-infants.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from the CDC. Reckitt will therefore recall 145,000 cans that were manufactured between August 2022 and September 2022 and then distributed throughout the United States.
“We are committed to the highest level of quality and safety and it is for this reason that we have taken this extraordinary measure,” Reckitt said in a <a href="https://www.reckitt.com/us/newsroom/latest-news/news/2023/february/reckitt-recalls-two-batches-of-prosobee-12-9-oz-simply-plant-based-infant-formula-because-of-possible-health-risk/#:~:text=Recalled" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “After a thorough investigation, we have identified the root cause, which was linked to a material from a third party. We have taken all appropriate corrective actions, including no longer sourcing this material from the supplier. The health and safety of infants is our highest priority.”
The recall comes roughly one year after Abbott Nutrition temporarily <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/baby-formula-ceo-has-a-message-for-parents-hit-by-nationwide-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shuttered</a> a baby formula facility in Sturgis, Michigan, and initiated a voluntary recall of several products. The absence of EleCare, a formula for children who are unable to digest other products, was especially worrisome to parents and government officials. The White House tried to alleviate the shortage with “Operation Fly Formula,” through which the military imported baby formula from Europe.
The recall was launched after the FDA found standing water, roof leaks, bacteria growths, and inadequate hygiene in the Abbott facility, which was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/abbott-nutrition-reopens-baby-formula-plant-at-center-of-nationwide-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">closed</a> between February 2022 and June 2022. Several babies across the country had reportedly been impacted by bacterial infections.
“We believe our voluntary recall was the right thing to do,” Abbott Nutrition CEO Rober Ford said, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/baby-formula-ceo-has-a-message-for-parents-hit-by-nationwide-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per</a> The Washington Post. “We will not take risks when it comes to the health of children. The data collected during the investigation, genetic sequencing, retained product samples and available product from the four complaints did not find any connection between our products and the four reported illnesses in children. However, the FDA’s investigation did discover a bacteria in our plant that we will not tolerate.”
Baby formula shortages reached their zenith in July 2022, when out-of-stock rates surpassed 31%, according to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/04/baby-formula-shortages-persist-after-biden-fixes/10795557002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from market research firm IRI shared with USA Today. Supply chain bottlenecks nevertheless continued to impact availability of the products: out-of-stock rates still reached 13% in November 2022.
Lockdowns and public health mandates imposed by many governments across the world fostered unpredictable supply chain shocks, contributing to inflation in many countries. Prices for baby formula increased 15% between July 2021 and July 2022, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/blog/2023/looking-at-recent-price-increases-for-baby-food.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but inflation in the product category remained as high as 10.7% between December 2021 and December 2022.
Democratic lawmakers and officials assert that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-yorks-democratic-ag-goes-after-price-gouging-amid-formula-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corporate greed</a> is responsible for the inflationary pressures which have grappled with the economy over the past two years. New York Attorney General Letitia James warned baby formula companies to “stop overcharging” for the scarce products at the height of the crisis. “It’s unconscionable that some retailers are taking advantage of the national baby formula shortage while parents are struggling to find food for their children,” she said in a <a href="https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2022/attorney-general-james-issues-warnings-more-30-retailers-stop-overcharging-baby" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.

Empty shelves, baby formula shortage, Target, Queens, New York

Baby Formula Recalled Nationwide Over Possible Bacterial Contamination

Baby Formula Company Recalls Product Nationwide Over Possible Bacterial Contamination

baby formula

Health

Inflation

Supply Chain

The nationwide <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baby-formula">baby formula</a> shortage is far from over, with nearly one-third of all formula in the U.S. still not stocked, according to a report.
The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11063829/Baby-Formula-crisis-starts-getting-WORSE-parents-accuse-Biden-forgetting-them.html">Daily Mail</a> reported Saturday that the country is still experiencing a sizeable shortage of formula nationwide. The outlet reported a 30% out-of-stock rate nationwide, citing data from the week ending July 24. That number was higher than in previous weeks, indicating that the shortage may have worsened this month.
&#8220;The nation reported a 30 percent out-of-stock rate on Friday, based on data from the week ended July 24,&#8221; the Daily Mail reported Saturday. &#8220;The week prior, ending July 17, the out-of-stock rate was 32 percent.&#8221;
“Families in Arizona and Wyoming have been hardest hit by the shortage with out-of-stock rates at 44 percent and 42 percent, respectively,&#8221; the outlet added. A <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/baby-formula-remains-scarce-despite-efforts-to-boost-supply">PBS NewsHour</a> report Thursday noted that the latest data show that stock levels are the lowest since the formula crisis began in February.
The numbers reported by the Daily Mail are also an increase from numbers earlier this month. According to market research firm IRI, as reported by the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/07/18/baby-formula-shortage-getting-worse-despite-biden-airlifts/">New York Post</a> last week, the nationwide out-of-stock rate for baby formula stood at 28.3% for the week ending July 10. That number was a slight decline from the week ending July 3, when the out-of-stock rate stood at 29.5%. But both of those figures were higher than the 23.7% out-of-stock rate reported for the week ending May 22, when the shortage dominated national headlines, the Post reported.
The normal out-of-stock rate from before the COVID-19 pandemic was between just 5-7%, the Post noted.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is continuing to import formula from Europe in an effort to make up the supply gap. The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that five more flights of baby formula were scheduled for the week of July 18, bringing the equivalent of 6.8 million bottles of formula to the United States.
&#8220;By July 24, Operation Fly Formula flights will have completed 53 flights and imported more than 61 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of infant formula,&#8221; HHS said in a <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/07/18/five-operation-fly-formula-flights-scheduled-week-of-july-18.html">statement</a>. The latest flights, which were scheduled for July 21 and 22, included more than 70,000 pounds of Nestlé Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula, the equivalent of more than 802,000 8-ounce bottles of formula, from Switzerland, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-admin-flying-baby-formula-in-from-switzerland-as-crisis-continues">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
French formula maker <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/danone-sends-13-million-cans-aptamil-formula-us-amid-shortage-2022-07-27/">Danone</a> also said this week that it had already shipped 750,000 cans of its Aptamil brand of formula to the U.S., and would be sending another 550,000 cans of formula from New Zealand, which was expected to arrive in August, Reuters reported. Danone said it was also sending another 500,000 cans of its specialty formula, Neocate.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Abbott formula plant at the center of the shortage is finally re-opened, though supplies are still expected to be strained until next month. The Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan, initially re-opened on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/abbott-nutrition-reopens-baby-formula-plant-at-center-of-nationwide-shortage">June 4</a> in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, after being closed for months as part of a voluntary recall of several of its specialty formulas. But just days later, severe thunderstorms and heavy rains caused flooding in the area of the plant, forcing it to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/extreme-weather-leads-baby-formula-plant-to-close-after-just-reopening">close once again</a>. The plant re-opened on <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/07/10/1110780292/abbott-reopens-michigan-baby-formula-plant-flooding">July 10</a>.

A nearly empty baby formula display shelf is seen at a

Baby Formula Shortage Far From Over, 30% Of Formula Still Out Of Stock: Report

The Daily Mail

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/biden-administration">Biden administration</a> is touting its latest shipment of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baby-formula">baby formula</a> from overseas as evidence that the nationwide shortage is improving, but a look at the details shows that the crisis could go on for months.
On Monday, President Joe Biden <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2022/07/18/biden-is-still-importing-baby-formula-from-overseas-as-crisis-continues-to-rage-n2610388">announced</a> that Switzerland was importing thousands of cases of baby formula to help stock stores in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/united-states">United States</a>. The delivery was the 17th shipment from abroad, but the latest data show that the shelves are still missing critical items needed to keep babies satiated.
&#8220;Today, President Biden is announcing that his Administration is sourcing two flights, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport Nestlé Health Science amino acid-based formula from Switzerland to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on July 21 and 22,&#8221; The White House <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2022/07/18/biden-is-still-importing-baby-formula-from-overseas-as-crisis-continues-to-rage-n2610388">said</a> in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/18/president-biden-announces-seventeenth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">press release</a>.
&#8220;This delivery will include approximately 74,403 pounds of Nestlé Health Science Alfamino® Infant and Alfamino® Junior formula, the equivalent of 802,446 8-ounce bottles. These products will be distributed primarily to hospitals and home health care providers,&#8221; the administration said.
Despite Biden insisting that Operation Fly Formula is a success, The New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/07/18/baby-formula-shortage-getting-worse-despite-biden-airlifts/">reported</a> that the market research firm IRI shows that 28.3% of powdered baby formula products were out of stock at U.S. stores for the week ending July 10. That is more than the 23.7% reported out of stock for the week ending May 22, the paper noted.
Joseph Antos, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told The Post that Biden&#8217;s press release on Monday was emblematic of the administration fundamentally misunderstanding the problem. Antos argued that regulations crafted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are hampering the ability to restock the shelves.
&#8220;This idea that some publicist in the White House came up with was really meant to impress people with the administration’s concern,” Antos told the paper. “But it’s pretty much a drop in the bucket compared to what would normally be imported if we had regular imports of baby formula from anywhere else. We don’t … because there is a very large tariff barrier … [and] the other factor, of course, is FDA rules. FDA really makes it very difficult.”
In early July, an anonymous Health and Human Services official reportedly <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/09/abbott-plant-at-center-of-shortages-quietly-restarted-july-1-00044840">told</a> Politico, &#8220;We are months — months — away from an end to these shortages,&#8221; while <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/09/abbott-plant-at-center-of-shortages-quietly-restarted-july-1-00044840">acknowledging</a> that the Biden administration&#8217;s shipments of baby formula are often only temporary measures and provide barely enough formula for a few days in the U.S. — let alone an entire week or month.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre <a href="https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/baby-formula-shortage-deepens-defying-replenishment-efforts-11657796400">told</a> reporters on Monday, &#8220;Look, this is a priority, it continues to be a priority for us.&#8221;
&#8220;We’re going to do everything that we can to increase production. But, again, we want to make sure that the safety is first,&#8221; she added in reference to the reopening of the Abbott baby formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan.

Biden Admin Flying Baby Formula In From Switzerland As Crisis Continues

Switzerland

The White House announced on Wednesday that it is importing approximately 16 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of baby formula from Mexico to address America&#8217;s ongoing shortage.
The statement was noted as the Tenth Operation Fly Formula Mission in recent weeks.
&#8220;Today, President Biden is announcing that his Administration is sourcing trucking, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for Operation Fly Formula to transport Gerber infant formula from Mexico to Fort Worth, Texas starting on June 24,&#8221; the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/22/president-biden-announces-tenth-operation-fly-formula-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> read.
&#8220;This delivery will include approximately 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula, the equivalent of approximately 16 million 8-ounce bottles. The product will be available through retail channels,&#8221; it added.
The White House stated that by June 26 the flights are on track to complete 32 trips. The operation began delivering its first flights of formula from Europe in late May.
“Folks, I’m excited to tell you that the first flight from Operation Fly Formula is loaded up with more than 70,000 pounds of infant formula and about to land in Indiana,” President Biden <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1528379633229496321">tweeted</a> on May 22. “Our team is working around the clock to get safe formula to everyone who needs it.”
In addition to Operation Fly Formula flights, Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to ensure that manufacturers have the ingredients needed to create the formula.
&#8220;HHS being authorized to use the DPA means infant formula manufacturers can go to the front of the line and get raw materials from their suppliers—like labels or oils—that will allow manufactures to speed up production of formula,&#8221; <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/formula/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> the act.
The formula shortage was noted as the result of the closure of an Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan. The location was recently reopened but was forced to temporarily <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/extreme-weather-leads-baby-formula-plant-to-close-after-just-reopening" target="_blank" rel="noopener">close once again</a> due to severe flooding in the area.
“Severe thunderstorms and heavy rains came through southwestern Michigan on Monday evening, resulting in high winds, hail, power outages and flood damage throughout the area,” Abbott said in a <a href="https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/abbott-update-on-powder-formula-recall.html">statement</a>.
“These torrential storms produced significant rainfall in a short period of time — overwhelming the city’s stormwater system … and resulting in flooding in parts of the city, including areas of our plant,&#8221; it added.
Despite the Biden administration&#8217;s claims to address the baby formula shortage, the president&#8217;s efforts have been ridiculed by many who noted that the crisis has been known about for months.
During a White House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-spox-flips-through-binder-for-20-seconds-cant-find-anything-new-on-baby-formula" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daily briefing</a> last week, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was mocked after saying she didn&#8217;t &#8220;have anything new&#8221; regarding the formula shortage.
“I think it’s been a couple of days since we have asked — been asked that question,” <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/does-biden-take-any-responsibility-peter-doocy-grills-karine-jean-pierre-on-inflation/">Jean-Pierre</a> said as she searched through her notes. “Okay, I don’t have anything new, I know we made some announcements last week, I just don’t have them in front of me.”
After a long pause, Jean-Pierre concluded, “I don’t have anything new,&#8221; leading to widespread comments online blasting the administration&#8217;s failure to adequately handle the crisis.

Biden Admin Forced To Import Mexican Baby Formula Due To Shortage

Biden Admin Importing Baby Formula From Mexico To Relieve Shortage

Biden Admin

Mexico

Press Secretary <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/is-he-going-to-bring-the-key-players-doocy-asks-why-biden-is-hitting-the-beach-if-gun-violence-is-an-emergency/">Karine Jean-Pierre</a> had &#8220;nothing new&#8221; to add on the ongoing <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/psaki-claims-white-house-is-on-top-of-baby-formula-shortage-but-hoarding-is-a-enormous-problem/">baby formula shortage</a> at Monday&#8217;s White House press briefing, despite a 20-second pause while she searched her binder for an answer on the topic.
&#8220;So, I have two questions on baby formula,&#8221; one reporter began. &#8220;So first, what is the White House — what is the latest update the White House has received on the current infant formula situation across the country?&#8221;
&#8220;Yeah, let me see if I have anything new for you on that,&#8221; Jean-Pierre replied as she began thumbing through the binder on the lectern in front of her.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Karine Jean-Pierre has NO UPDATE on the baby formula shortage, despite recognizing that &quot;it&#39;s been a couple of days since we&#39;ve been asked that question.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/US0LOWDZAl">pic.twitter.com/US0LOWDZAl</a>
&mdash; Townhall.com (@townhallcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1536445640905043969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;I think it&#8217;s been a couple of days since we have asked — been asked that question,&#8221; <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/does-biden-take-any-responsibility-peter-doocy-grills-karine-jean-pierre-on-inflation/">Jean-Pierre</a> continued to flip through the pages of her binder as she spoke.
She paused then to read one of the pages, and after a few more seconds had passed, she said, &#8220;Okay, I don&#8217;t have anything new, I know we made some announcements last week, I just don&#8217;t have them in front of me.&#8221;
All told, some 20 seconds elapsed between the time the question was asked and the time that Jean-Pierre arrived at her conclusion: &#8220;I don&#8217;t have anything new.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Karine Jean-Pierre is asked if there are any updates on the baby formula shortage.
She spends almost 20 seconds flipping through her binder before saying she has no update on it. <a href="https://t.co/5a9gLetxdM">pic.twitter.com/5a9gLetxdM</a>
&mdash; Greg Price (@greg_price11) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1536446091381690373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Critics immediately took aim at both Jean-Pierre and the Biden administration, arguing that neither seemed prepared to handle the situation at hand.
&#8220;&#8216;Nothing new&#8217; sums up this Administration’s endless string of crises,&#8221; former Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KLoeffler/status/1536766165388623873">responded</a> via Twitter.
Media commentator Mitch Roschelle <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitch_Roschelle/status/1536738710364073986">added</a>, &#8220;Attention Young People: Being Unprepared isn’t a good look. Preparation = Success.&#8221;
&#8220;This needs &#8216;Jeopardy&#8217; Theme music,&#8221; National Review&#8217;s Dan McLaughlin <a href="https://twitter.com/baseballcrank/status/1536711558188900355">tweeted</a>.
&#8220;I’m starting to think she wasn’t hired because she’s qualified,&#8221; radio host Dr. Sebastian Gorka <a href="https://twitter.com/SebGorka/status/1536702489231228940">added</a>.
Beverly Hallberg <a href="https://twitter.com/BeverlyHallberg/status/1536699003009650688">tweeted</a>, &#8220;It&#8217;s truly astonishing that she doesn&#8217;t have an answer ready to go, from memory, on the baby formula shortage.&#8221;
&#8220;While the White House flips through notes, American moms and dads have been asking themselves how they are going to find formula to feed their babies each and every day. My FORMULA Act would help ease the baby formula crisis. We should pass it immediately,&#8221; Senator Mike Lee <a href="https://twitter.com/SenMikeLee/status/1536766102939762689">suggested</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://t.co/N5yEE52zwl">https://t.co/N5yEE52zwl</a> <a href="https://t.co/pMwZm5SQe9">pic.twitter.com/pMwZm5SQe9</a>
&mdash; Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) <a href="https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/1536471294325051392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Your constant reminder that Joe Biden&#8217;s press secretaries are a bigger insult to the press than anything Donald Trump ever said to them,&#8221; John Hayward <a href="https://twitter.com/Doc_0/status/1536687116305973249">concluded</a>.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Holds Daily White House Briefing

White House Spox Flips Through Binder For 20 Seconds, Can’t Find ‘Anything New’ On Baby Formula

Karine Jean-Pierre Flips Through Binder For 20 Seconds, Can't Find 'Anything New' On Baby Formula

Karine Jean-Pierre

CNN&#8217;s Jake Tapper pressed Biden Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Sunday over the administration&#8217;s seemingly slow response in dealing with various issues that he noted experts had forecasted would become problematic.
&#8220;So, you heard Secretary [Janet] Yellen this week said she got it wrong about inflation. In July, you told Bloomberg that inflation would be temporary, about a year ago,&#8221; Tapper said on the network&#8217;s Sunday morning show, &#8220;State of the Union.&#8221;
&#8220;As recently as six months ago, you were calling inflation a &#8216;short-term problem,&#8217; not a long-term problem,&#8221; he said. &#8220;So, you got it wrong too.&#8221;
&#8220;So, clearly, we are and Americans are struggling with inflation, but I don&#8217;t think anyone predicted Putin&#8217;s war in Ukraine or various other things that have happened that have been unexpected,&#8221; Raimondo said. &#8220;I still think we will get inflation under control. We just have to stick with it and see it through.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
CNN&#39;S JAKE TAPPER: &quot;As recently as six months ago, you were calling inflation &#39;a short-term problem, not a long-term problem.&#39;&quot;
COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO: &quot;I still think we will get inflation under control, we just have to stick with it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ftec6ui6Gv">pic.twitter.com/ftec6ui6Gv</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1533450703447916545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Well, all due respect, Madam Secretary, [economist] Larry Summers, a year ago, more than a year ago, was saying that the Biden administration was putting too much money into the economy, flooding too much money into the economy, and he was concerned about inflation,&#8221; Tapper countered. &#8220;And Biden administration officials said that Larry Summers was wrong. And it turned out Larry Summers was right.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t really agree with that characterization,&#8221; she responded. &#8220;Look, the reality is, I was just in Europe a couple of weeks ago. Gas there in France is $10 a gallon. and &#8212; right? And they didn&#8217;t have an American Rescue Plan like we did.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
CNN&#39;s Jake Tapper roasts Biden Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for repeatedly ignoring warnings of surging inflation.
RAIMONDO: &quot;Uh, I don&#39;t really agree with that characterization&#8230;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cEPK8KuApy">pic.twitter.com/cEPK8KuApy</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1533450251251634179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tapper then switched his focus to the administration&#8217;s response to the baby formula shortage that has hit the U.S. over the last several months.
&#8220;President Biden this week said he didn&#8217;t learn about the severity of the infant formula shortage until April,&#8221; Tapper said. &#8220;But problems first emerged back at the Abbott plant back in October of 2021. An industry executive said they knew how bad this could get when the plant closed in February.&#8221;
&#8220;When did you first learn of this problem?&#8221; he asked.
&#8220;I first learned about it a couple of months ago,&#8221; Raimondo claimed, later adding, &#8220;probably April.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m not involved in the administration&#8217;s response here, I should say,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But I think they&#8217;re doing a very good job.&#8221;
Tapper then pressed Raimondo on why the Biden administration has repeatedly been &#8220;caught flat-footed&#8221; in responding to problems, including inflation, the baby formula shortage, and record-high gas prices.
&#8220;Why does it seem the Biden administration is consistently playing clean-up on these problems that are playing out exactly as many experts forecast they would, instead of heading them off before they become a crisis?&#8221; he asked.
&#8220;So, again, I mean, that&#8217;s one way to look at it,&#8221; she responded.
Raimondo did not answer the question related to the specific issues Tapper mentioned.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
CNN&#39;S JAKE TAPPER: &quot;When did you first learn of this [baby formula shortage]?&quot;
SEC. RAIMONDO: &quot;Uh, I first learned about it, you know, a couple of months ago&#8230;&quot;
TAPPER: &quot;So April?&quot;
RAIMONDO: &quot;Uh, yes, probably April. I&#39;m not involved in the administration&#39;s response here&#8230;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XVPcQQh9La">pic.twitter.com/XVPcQQh9La</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1533449403939311617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Testifies Before Senate Commerce Committee

CNN Grills Biden Commerce Secretary For ‘Consistently Playing Clean-Up’ On Issues Experts Warned About

Gina Raimondo

Jake Tapper

State of the Union

Abbott Nutrition is reopening its baby formula manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, after it was at the center of national attention as part of the baby formula shortage.
In a press release Saturday, Abbott Nutrition announced that it would open its plant in accordance with the provisions of a consent agreement reached by the company and the Food and Drug Administration. The company previously announced they would be reopening the facility <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fda-announces-when-the-baby-formula-shortage-will-likely-end">last week</a>. The facility was shut down in February.
&#8220;Abbott is restarting infant formula production at its Sturgis, Mich., facility today after meeting initial requirements agreed to with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the consent decree entered into on May 16,&#8221; the company said in its <a href="https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/abbott-update-on-powder-formula-recall.html">press release</a>. &#8220;Abbott is starting production of EleCare and other specialty and metabolic formulas, with initial EleCare product release to consumers beginning on or about June 20. We&#8217;re also working hard to fulfill the steps necessary to restart production of Similac and other formulas and will do so as soon as we can. We understand the urgent need for formula and our top priority is getting high-quality, safe formula into the hands of families across America. We will ramp production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements. We&#8217;re committed to safety and quality and will do everything we can to re-earn the trust parents, caregivers and health care providers have placed in us for 130 years.&#8221;
Abbott closed the Sturgis facility and initiated a voluntary recall of three types on infant formula produced there after several babies who consumed formula were reported to have contracted a rare bacterial infection. According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-1e54ff345ab2a4be93f2e24d991e4450">Associated Press</a>, the FDA conducted an investigation and found traces of the cronobacter bacteria on several surfaces in the facility. But the strains found in the plant were not in areas where the formula was made, and did not match the strains found in samples of the contaminated formula. The AP noted, citing information from the CDC, that cronobacter is a naturally occurring environmental bacteria. Infections are rare, but can be fatal in babies, causing fever, blood infections, and brain swelling. Nearly all previous outbreaks were linked to baby formula, since it is not normally exposed to high temperatures used to kill germs in other foods. But the bacteria can also get into baby formula if a dirty scoop is used, or if it is mixed with water contaminated with it.
The Abbott facility was at the center of national attention because it produced several types of specialty formula for infants with allergies, as well as metabolic and digestive problems, but the formula shortage had been an issue long before that. The shortage originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the supply chain was broken by worker shortages and manufacturing plant shutdowns.
Health and Human Services Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-biden-official-claims-administration-knew-about-baby-formula-shortage-last-year">Xavier Becerra</a> told CNN that the Biden administration had been aware of the shortage since last year, as The Daily Wire reported. Biden himself told reporters at a press conference earlier this week that he had been aware of the shortage since <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-says-he-became-aware-of-baby-formula-shortage-in-early-april">early April</a>, but the crisis was not publicly addressed by the White House until May 13.

Abbott Plant in Michigan

Abbott Nutrition Reopens Baby Formula Plant At Center Of Nationwide Shortage

Michigan

Recall

President Joe Biden made yet another gaffe Wednesday, announcing that the latest international shipment of baby formula from the White House&#8217;s &#8220;Operation Fly Formula&#8221; initiative would carry just &#8220;3.7 bottles of the formula.&#8221;
At the beginning of a <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1532071392224714752?s=20&amp;t=5cAdvE_lIr8jD7lh5ie7OQ">meeting</a> with major U.S. manufacturers of baby formula Wednesday, Biden gave short prepared remarks touting his administration’s ongoing response to the shortage. After noting two previous shipments that had already arrived, Biden stammered through the announcement of two more shipments from the United Kingdom and Australia that were arranged by the White House, including a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/president-biden-announces-third-operation-fly-formula-mission/">3.7 million bottle</a> shipment from U.K.-based producer Kendal. But Biden flubbed the announcement, saying that the shipment would carry 3.7 bottles instead of 3.7 million.
&#8220;We&#8217;re here today to hear from these manufacturers and to get updates on the progress we&#8217;re making together,&#8221; Biden said. &#8220;The shortage of baby formula is due to the closure back in February of one of Abbott&#8217;s infant formula plants. We needed to take immediate action to stop contaminated—&#8221; he continued before repeatedly correcting himself. &#8220;We needed to take immediate action to stop contaminate— contaminated formula from hitting store shelves and putting American children at risk.”
Biden then touted the Food and Drug Administration&#8217;s reaction to the shortage, claiming that the FDA &#8220;acted quickly&#8221; to bring Abbott&#8217;s plant back into compliance with federal regulations. &#8220;But it takes time&#8221; to restart production, Biden said, noting that Abbott accounts for nearly 40% of infant formula sold in the U.S. The president went on to recount the steps the administration took to attempt to address the shortage, first lauding his invocation of the Defense Production Act to deliver ingredients to producers.
&#8220;Second, we launched Operation Fly Formula, the major effort to airlift infant formula that meets American health standards and safety standards. Today I am proud to say that because of these flights, high-quality formula is already on the way to American shelves. To date, we&#8217;ve already conducted two flights with 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles [worth] of Nestle and Gerber&#8217;s hydro— excuse me, hypoallergenic formulas for children with severe allergies. Without Operation Fly Formula … it would have taken &#8230; three weeks to get this product to the United States. Because of our actions, it took three days &#8230; and today, I&#8217;m announcing plans for a third flight with Bubbs Australia. &#8230; This flight would bring 4.6 million bottles of infant formula, and pave the way for up to 27.5 million total bottles of Bubbs infant formula to be supplied to American families in the weeks ahead.”
Finally, Biden touted the FDA&#8217;s move to fast-track approvals for more imports of baby formula from other countries. He also spoke of a move by United Airlines to donate flights to deliver the formula from the U.K. &#8220;Today, we&#8217;re announcing that United Airlines has agreed to offer cargo space for Kendal Nutricare, for the delivery of 3.7 bottles of the formula, here in the States,&#8221; Biden said. &#8220;I want to thank United Airlines for partnering with us to get this done. They&#8217;re doing it on their own.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Biden: &#8220;Today we&#8217;re announcing that the United Airlines has agreed to offer cargo space &#8212; for the delivery of 3.7 bottles of baby formula.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/TuqrrPfrGT">pic.twitter.com/TuqrrPfrGT</a>
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1532077117718286336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
United Airlines will fly begin flying the first shipments from Heathrow Airport to airports around the U.S. on June 9. The formula will be available at Target stores around the country soon afterward. The shipments from <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/president-biden-announces-fourth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">Australia</a> will begin on June 9 and 11.

WATCH: Biden Fumbles Baby Formula Shipment Announcement, Says Just ‘3.7 Bottles Of The Formula’ Are Coming

Biden Fumbles Baby Formula Shipment Announcement, Says Just '3.7 Bottles Of The Formula' Are Coming

President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday that he was not aware of the baby formula crisis hitting the nation until early April, which left many wondering just who exactly was advising the president and when did they decide to inform him of the severity of the crisis.
Biden hosted the press, as well as industry leaders, on Wednesday to address the lack of baby formula in the U.S. from the White House-crafted fake Oval Office — which he reportedly uses so that he can stay on a script from a teleprompter.
&#8220;Here&#8217;s the deal, I became aware of this problem, sometime in, after, in early April about how intense it was. And so we did everything in our power from that point on, and that&#8217;s all I can tell you right now,&#8221; Biden said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Biden: “I became aware of this problem in early April”
It took Biden until May 13 to first mention the baby formula crisis. <a href="https://t.co/N0lfVpWDa5">pic.twitter.com/N0lfVpWDa5</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1532089798218899457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
As pointed out by the Republican National Committee, Biden didn&#8217;t address the baby formula crisis until May 13. At the time, Biden claimed that his administration could have been better prepared for the national baby formula shortage if they had been better “mind-readers.” However, just a few days later, his top official at the Department of Health and Human Services appeared to contradict that statement, claiming that his department and the Food and Drug Administration had known about the issue since last year.
As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-biden-official-claims-administration-knew-about-baby-formula-shortage-last-year">flagged</a>, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told CNN, “From everything I’ve known, the FDA has kept me apprised of this from last year. We have been moving as quickly as we can.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CNN: &#8220;You are satisfied with the government&#8217;s response throughout [the baby formula shortage]?&#8221;
HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra: &#8220;FDA has kept me apprised of this from LAST YEAR. We have been moving as quickly as we can&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/5WRZa5chYg">pic.twitter.com/5WRZa5chYg</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1526239189683019779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
The Daily Wire also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-biden-official-claims-administration-knew-about-baby-formula-shortage-last-year">noted</a> that &#8220;Biden’s own White House website <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/">says</a> that on February 17, &#8216;the largest infant formula manufacturer in the country—Abbott Nutrition—initiated a voluntary recall of several lines of powdered formula.&#8217; The White House claimed the federal government mobilized into action to get baby products onto the market as soon as they became aware it was an issue.&#8221;
On Wednesday, in light of Biden&#8217;s most recent remark, Fox News&#8217; Peter Doocy asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, &#8220;Who is the person in the West Wing who decided after six or eight weeks that this baby formula shortage was finally something that somebody should tell the president about?&#8221;
Jean-Pierre dodged the question by saying, &#8220;Look, again, I have to go back and talk to the president,&#8221; while claiming that because she didn&#8217;t see Biden&#8217;s question and answer session, she couldn&#8217;t comment upon on it because she wanted to do her &#8220;due diligence&#8221; in answering accurately.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DOOCY TIME: &#8220;Who is the person in the West Wing who decided after six or eight weeks that this baby formula shortage was finally something that somebody should tell the President about?&#8221;
KJP: &#8220;Look, again, I have to go back and talk to the President.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/axlh1nCjg8">pic.twitter.com/axlh1nCjg8</a>
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) <a href="https://twitter.com/CurtisHouck/status/1532110090647502853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
On Tuesday, Bloomberg Government <a href="https://about.bgov.com/news/health-care-briefing-baby-formula-shortage-rate-jumps-to-70/">reported</a>, &#8220;Out-of-stock rates spiked to 70% nationally for the week ending on May 21, up from 45% the prior week, based on data from the retail-tracking firm Datasembly.&#8221;

Biden Says He ‘Became Aware’ Of Baby Formula Shortage In Early April

President Joe Biden Says He ‘Became Aware’ Of Baby Formula Shortage In Early April

Menu