CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – The Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) is monitoring the current infant formula shortage and takes this life-threatening issue very seriously.
On May 12, 2022, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf regarding the formula shortages affecting some of Florida’s most vulnerable populations.
DOH-Citrus wants to ensure Floridians are kept up to date on this issue and have the correct information on how to protect your family.
When Abbott Nutrition issued the initial recall in February, the Department immediately reached out to retailers that accept the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to recommend ordering an alternative supply of formula. For our medically complex children that depend on medical specialty formula, the Department found alternative products to offset the shortage.
The current recall does not affect Florida’s primary WIC milk-based formula, but the shutdown of the Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan is causing strain on the entire formula market. In a recent press release from Abbott, the company stated they could restart their factory within two weeks, and get products to shelves six to eight weeks after the restart.
For Florida families in need of certain metabolic formulas, Abbott continues to release these products on an as-needed basis with a referral from a health care professional.
These products were not included in the recall and have been tested and comply with all product release requirements before distribution. Impacted families should contact their health care provider or local WIC office (352-527-8490 or 352-726 5222) to ensure they are getting the necessary formula.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
- Choose an infant formula that is safe. For more information on choosing a safe infant formula, visit the CDC and FDA pages on the topic.
- Do not make homemade infant formula. Visit the FDA’s page for more information.
- Do not buy formula online that comes from outside the United States. This formula could be counterfeit, including fake labels with a wrong use-by-date.
- Properly prepare and store infant formula. For information on proper preparation and storage, visit the CDC’s page.
- Properly clean, sanitize, and store infant feeding items. Visit the CDC’s page for more information.
- Always wash your hands. For information on how and when to wash your hands, visit the CDC’s page.
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