U.S. military will deliver three kinds of hypoallergenic infant formula this weekend to fill about 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles from Europe to Indianapolis to address the domestic formula shortage.
The White House announced that the Department of Defense is sourcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for Operation Fly Formula to transport the first shipment of infant formula from Ramstein Air Base in Germany to Plainfield, Indiana. The Biden Administration expects 246 pallets of three formulas—Alfamino Infant, Alfamino Junior, and Gerber Good Start Extensive HA—all of which are hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow’s milk protein allergy.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the first flights over the weekend will transport 132 pallets of Nestlé Health Science formula — including Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior. The official promised updates on the remaining 114 pallets Gerber Good Start Extensive HA.
“These formulas have been prioritized because they serve a critical medical purpose and are in short supply in the United States because of the Abbott Sturgis plant closure,” reads a White House statement.
Operation Fly Formula program comes after the Biden Administration authorized the Agriculture Department and the Department of Health and Human Services to request pentagon-contracted commercial planes to deliver formula from abroad. It also comes after the Biden administration invoked the Defense Production Act on Wednesday to increase the speed of production.
The White House said military planes will transport the supplies this time, as no commercial aircraft were available. Officials say these imports will provide immediate relief while giving more time for domestic manufacturers to increase production.
Global supply-chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic had caused an infant formula shortfall. The shortage was exacerbated when Abbott Laboratories announced a voluntary recall in February from products manufactured at a facility in Sturgis, Mich., following four infants falling ill and two infant deaths.
The facility had shut down, but the Food and Drug Administration has since reached an agreement with Abbott to reopen the facility.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf told lawmakers Thursday that Abbott Nutrition's Michigan formula plant could reopen as early as next week. Abbott has said it could take about two months before the new formula begins arriving in stores after production resumes.
