Home » News » What You Should Know About State Resources – NBC New York (47)

What You Should Know About State Resources – NBC New York (47)

The shortage of powdered infant formula has worsened since Abbott Nutrition agreed to recall in February 2022 the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands for select batches that were manufactured at an Abbott facility in Sturgis, Michigan.

The recall, required by the FDA, was extended in late February to include a lot of Similac PM 60/40. This prompted major retailers like CVS, Target and Walmart to also impose purchase limits on baby formula.

As of May 8, 43% of infant formula was out of stock at U.S. retailers due to recalls and supply chain strains, data shows Datasembly.

In response, Governor Kathy Hochul expanded efforts to distribute formula and monitor supply chains.

In New York, families can obtain infant formula through a variety of programs, including the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which has coordinated with manufacturers to track formula shipments to guide New Yorkers struggling to find the product in pharmacies.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that all newborns and children have access to the nutritional support they need to stay healthy,” Hochul said in a statement.

Meanwhile, reports are mounting of New Yorkers desperately seeking baby formula being scammed by online sellers amid potential price gouging, State Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

“The last thing a family needs is a price increase on critical nutrition for their little ones, which is why I’m warning speculators looking to take advantage of this crisis,” James said.

“If New Yorkers see skyrocketing increases in the price of baby formula, I encourage them to report it to my office immediately,” he added.

HOW TO GET BABY FORMULA IN NEW YORK

In the face of shortages, the New York State Department of Health is boosting the distribution of infant formula, diapers and baby supplies, including for WIC participants.

WIC offers food assistance to women, infants and children regardless of their immigration status.

  • Pregnant women and up to six weeks after the birth of the infant, or the end of pregnancy, benefit.
  • Postpartum women may be able to receive help for up to 6 months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy.
  • Nursing women may be able to get help until the infant’s first birthday.
  • Infants may qualify up to their first birthday. Children could qualify up to their fifth birthday.

Open here for more details on the requirements to benefit from the WIC program.

The New York State WIC program has been successful in helping participants obtain needed formulas through alternative stores with formulas in stock, while also coordinating with manufacturers to get formula to families when they can’t find it online. local stores.

New York WIC participants should contact their local agency for help locating products when needed.

HOW TO RECEIVE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE?

Via Wanda, the chat system of the Department of Health. New Yorkers can receive direct, personal online navigation assistance to access WIC.

Call to 311 in New York City or 800-522-5006 for more information on WIC.

Open here to find one WIC office in your area for in-person help.

HOW CAN I QUALIFY FOR THE WIC PROGRAM?

You can receive the benefits of the WIC program if you meet these four requirements:

  1. Must be
    • A pregnant woman of any age
    • Babies and children under five
    • Mother of a baby up to six months old
    • A mother who breastfeeds her baby for up to one year
  2. You must reside in the state of New York, but you do not have to be a United States citizen.
  3. You must meet the income guidelines or be receiving food stamps, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
  4. Your medical or nutritional needs must be evaluated by a WIC health professional to determine what benefits are available to you.
  5. Complete it WIC preselection guide USDA online to find out if you qualify.

FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO FIND THE FORMULA THEY NEED FOR THEIR BABY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING:

In an effort to meet current demand, many stores are limiting the amount of infant formula customers can purchase. It is important that families do not stockpile formula, which will have a greater impact on the supply chain and other families in their community.

  • You can call your OB/GYN or baby’s medical provider to see if they have samples of formula in the office or if they can suggest a similar formula that may be more widely available in stores and is nutritionally similar to meet your baby’s needs .
  • Switch to another brand or type of formula that is available, if recommended by your baby’s medical provider.
  • Families on WIC should check the state site to find a list of approved providers that may have formula in stock.
  • Visit smaller stores and pharmacies that sell formula. You may want to call first to see if they have formula in stock.
  • Look online for available options, but be sure to order only from reputable distributors and pharmacies. Don’t buy formula online from people you don’t know on social networking sites, online auctions, or abroad.
  • Check the lot code on the formula you already have to make sure it hasn’t been recalled. Do not throw away formula that was not part of the recall, unless it is expired.
  • Be sure to follow the formula manufacturer’s preparation and storage instructions.
  • Don’t use toddler formula to feed babies.
  • Do not dilute the formula or try to make infant formula at home.

People are encouraged to consult with a provider about breastfeeding the baby. The New York State WIC Program also provides breastfeeding support and resources to new families. Families feeding a baby human milk from a source other than the baby’s mother should only use milk from a source that has screened its milk donors and taken other precautions to ensure the safety of its milk.

The Department of Health shares the FDA’s recommendation that families should not prepare formulas at home and encourages caregivers to work with their health care provider for recommendations on how to change feeding practices, if necessary.

As New York families search for alternative sources of formula, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection has issued an alert reminding parents to be on the lookout for online scams and unscrupulous sellers who may try to take advantage of the situation.

New Yorkers can call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006 for more help.

A list of local agencies is posted online at www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/.

On May 17, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency to trigger the state’s price gouging laws, consistent with actions by President Joe Biden.

The order also coordinates relief efforts and allows state agencies to take emergency action necessary to protect families from problems stemming from baby formula shortages.

Residents who suspect price gouging or unfair business practices related to the sale of infant formula can file a complaint with DCA by visiting your website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.

For guidance from the Department of Health for families affected by the shortage, including families participating in the WIC program, open here.

RESOURCES

SEARCH BY ZIP CODE

The 211 system has a search platform for infant formula and baby food by zip code. Once the information is entered, a list of community organizations, pharmacies and food banks that could offer help to parents will be displayed.

Visit https://nj211.org/resource-search/taxonomy/BD-1800.8200-250/_/1 to start the search.

The list includes about 40 organizations statewide that may have infant formula or baby food available.

CONSULT YOUR PEDIATRICIAN

Please note that the NJ Poison Control Center warns families about misinformation circulating online and on social media that claims it is safe to dilute infant formula or use home recipes as an alternative. Neither of these options are safe alternatives, and both can cause serious harm to babies.

Shortages of infant formula can lead to the use of unsafe substitutes such as rice drinks, goat’s milk, homemade formula, almond milk, cow’s milk, diluted (watered down) formula, honey, and protein shakes. The use of any substitute for formula or breast milk can quickly lead to severe nutritional deficiency.

Commercial/manufactured infant formula and human breast milk contain essential micronutrients and vitamins that babies need at every feeding. These extra nutrients are essential for their healthy growth and development. It is important for parents and caregivers to make sure they do not feed their baby products that do not contain the necessary daily nutrients.

“If you can’t get your baby’s formula, it’s important to talk to your child’s pediatrician before making any changes. Your pediatrician is a trusted source and can provide guidance on the safest options available for your baby, especially if your baby has special health needs,” notes the NJ Poison Control Center.

IMPORTANT. If a child becomes ill after taking formula or any other product, contact your local poison control center immediately for medical treatment advice. Poison control centers are a medical resource for both the public and health care providers. Get free medical help, 24/7. Call the NJ Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

If the baby is not breathing, has trouble waking up, or has a seizure, call 9-1-1 right away.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.