By Corinne Murdock |
On Wednesday, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) launched a resource page on their website to aid parents navigating the ongoing baby formula shortage.
The portal offers information on formula alternatives, safety tips, community resources, breastfeeding guidance, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
ADHS recommended that parents not use homemade or imported baby formulas. While some parents rely on local milk banks, Arizona doesn’t have one. ADHS recommended that parents seek out neighboring states’ milk banks.
Also on Wednesday, President Joe Biden revealed during a virtual roundtable on baby formula production and procurement efforts that he wasn’t apprised of the baby formula shortage until April — two months after industry leaders were aware.
“Well, here’s the deal. I became aware of this problem sometime in — after April — in early April, about how intense it was,” stated Biden.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) declared that the Biden administration was a “disaster” for ignoring the crisis for two months.
During the White House press briefing that same day, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre couldn’t explain the delay between their administration’s awareness of expected shortages and Biden being informed of the situation.
Jean-Pierre also announced that there will be two additional Operation Fly Formula missions next Thursday. United Airlines will transport 3.7 million 8-ounce bottles of baby formula, making it the first flight mission donated by an airline carrier. Also, Bubs Australia will transport 4.6 million 8-ounce bottles of formula.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
