The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday unveiled a new strategy aimed at boosting the resiliency of the country’s infant formula market. The move comes in the wake of a 2022 recall and subsequent formula shortage that affected families nationwide.
Building on a strategy released in early 2023, the FDA’s new plan includes measures to ensure the ongoing inspection of infant formula manufacturers, committing to conducting inspections at least annually. Additionally, the agency will continue to train investigators to better evaluate infant formula quality.
“Visibility into the infant formula market is crucial, especially when considering specialty infant formulas,” the FDA stated. These formulas are essential for infants with allergies, low birth weight, rare genetic disorders, or other specific medical conditions. The agency emphasized the importance of these formulas being the sole source of nutrition for certain vulnerable infants.
The new strategy also focuses on preventing contamination in infant formula and easing barriers for new companies entering the U.S. market. This initiative is designed to enhance the FDA’s ability to monitor supply chain risks and mitigate potential shortages.
