May 19th, 2022
By News Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. | House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is leading new legislation called the Babies Need Formula Now Act to increase the baby formula supply for parents as soon as possible.
In addition to addressing the immediate crisis parents and babies face, the legislation also requires more oversight and accountability at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a quick and maintained supply of health and safe baby formula across the nation.
To ensure parents have more choices in the future, it also reduces barriers to innovation for new brands and types of formula to enter the marketplace.
“I am proud to introduce the Babies Need Formula Now Act,” U.S. Rep. Stefanik said after joining several other high-ranking Republicans in introducing the measure May 18. “I have introduced solutions that will restore supply chain operations, restock shelves, and ensure this never happens again. As a new mother, I know how important it is for families to have certainty, which is why I have been sounding the alarm on the baby formula shortage since February and will continue to take action on behalf of parents and grandparents trying to feed their babies.”
Specifically, Stefanik said, the measure focuses on:
-Increasing Supply: The Babies Need More Formula Now Act makes sure the FDA uses every flexibility to import safe baby formula from abroad. It also temporarily lifts restrictions on infant formula to allow parents to order formula from countries that have similar safety standards as the United States.
-Requiring the FDA to be Transparent: The Babies Need More Formula Now Act adds oversight and accountability to the FDA to make sure it is doing its job and acting quickly to maintain a healthy and safe supply of formula.
-Giving Parents More Choices: To prevent dangerous shortages from happening again, this solution also lifts FDA-imposed barriers that restrict new types and brands of formula from entering the market. It ensures more competition so more formula will reach the shelves and parents have more options to keep their babies fed.
-Enhancing Accountability for Recalls: When there is a recall for labeling unrelated to the quality of the product, the FDA needs to consider the impact to the supply of formula before recommending or requiring a recall. The Babies Need More Formula Now Act requires the FDA to notify to Congress of recalls and provide a plan to address any supply issues that may result. It requires coordination between the FDA and the manufacturer of the recalled formula to resolve any issues as soon as possible.
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