Saratoga, NY - Today, Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, along with Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH), introduced the bipartisan Improving Newborn Formula Access for a Nutritious Tomorrow (INFANT) Act, which would expand baby formula contracting for states from one to two suppliers in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“This critical, family-oriented legislation comes in the wake of the 2022 nationwide baby formula shortage crisis that heavily impacted mothers who rely on WIC to feed their babies. As a Mom in Congress, I have been advocating for parents and families in New York and across America struggling to find baby formula. It’s time to pass this legislation to ensure that we put ourselves in a position where a baby formula shortage crisis never happens again,”stated Chairwoman Stefanik.
"Families should not have to struggle to find formula to feed their children, yet this has been the reality for many in Ohio and nationwide. This bill represents a crucial step toward alleviating this problem by expanding WIC's contracting rules and promoting competition within the baby formula industry. By strengthening our supply chain, we can help prevent future shortages and ensure that families have the support they need." Congressman Mike Turner
The Improving Newborn Formula Access for a Nutritious Tomorrow Act would:
- Provide more options for WIC mothers
- Allow new formula manufacturers to enter the market to benefit WIC families
- Increase the resiliency of the infant formula supply chain
This legislation continues Chairwoman Stefanik’s work stemming from the 2022 national baby formula shortage.
In February 2022, Chairwoman Stefanik sent a letter calling on the FDA to address safety and supply concerns regarding baby formula following a recall of powdered formulas after reports of related illness in infants.
A few months later, Chairwoman Stefanik followed up and called on the FDA to provide a clear timeline for when baby formula inventory is expected to be sufficiently restocked as well as a long-term plan to minimize supply chain disruptions for baby formula.
Chairwoman Stefanik previously led the Babies Need Formula Now Act to increase the baby formula supply for parents as soon as possible.
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