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Resources to Help Families Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage

Jump to the list of infant formula resources.

Louisiana / National – In response to infant formula shortages caused by Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas, the US government is working to ensure that infant formula is safe and readily available for families across the country. In May 2022, President Biden met with retailers and manufacturers such as Walmart, Target, Reckitt, and Gerber to discuss ways to get more formula onto store shelves quickly and safely. He also announced a series of actions, including removing restrictions on the types of formula parents can purchase, urging the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to crack down on price gouging and unfair market practices, and increasing formula supply through increased imports.

Manufacturers have increased production by 30-50 percent as a result of these efforts, bringing total production today above pre-recall levels, with a different mix of products and sizes now available in the market. Nonetheless, it is clear that too many families continue to face difficulties obtaining infant formula, particularly families with approximately 5,000 infants, as well as some older children and adults with rare metabolic diseases who rely on specialty formulas.

If you are unable to locate a formula, please consult the following resources, which may be of assistance:

Infant Formula Manufacturer Hotlines

• Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert: reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat, or video call, who can help you identify a similar formula that may be more readily available
• Abbott’s Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540
• Abbott’s urgent product request line: ask your OBGYN or your infant’s pediatrician to submit an urgent product request by downloading and completing the form – PDF
• Reckitt’s Customer Service line: call 1-800 BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123)

Community Resources

• Locate your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA). Your neighborhood CAA may be able to provide you with formula or connect you with local agencies that have formula in stock.
  in Calcasieu Parish, this is:Calcasieu Parish Community Services
  P.O. Box 3171
  Lake Charles LA 70601Director of Human Services: Tarek Polite
  Phone: (337) 721-4020
  Email: [email protected]
  Web: cppj.net/humanservicesThose outside of Calcasieu Parish can follow this link to locate your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA)
• United Way’s 2-1-1: dial 2–1-1 to be connected to a community resource specialist affiliated with United Way who may be able to help you identify food pantries and other charitable sources of local infant formula and baby food.
• Feeding America: call your local food bank to ask whether they have infant formula and other supplies in stock.
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA): certain HMBANA-accredited milk banks are distributing donated breast milk to mothers in need; please note that some may require a prescription from a medical professional.

WIC-Eligible Families

• Contact your local WIC office to identify or obtain additional sources of infant formula nearby.

If you know about additional resources that can help families in Southwest Louisiana find formula during the infant formula shortage, follow this link to contact us.

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