Infant formula remains a difficult item to find on many store shelves in Kentucky. The problem came to light after suspected contamination led to a recall and shuttering of a major manufacturing plant in Michigan. Steve McClain is the communications and public affairs director for the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Stores Association. He said the lack of infant formula in stores runs right in line with pandemic issues.
“It’s trickling in and you’re not sure when you are going to get it, which is kind of par for the course of what we’ve seen with various items for the last three years,” said McClain.
McClain noted the problem was evident at one Kentucky store where 13 out of 15 varieties of formula were not on shelves. He added some relief is expected through increased imports but it does involve additional preparation.
“When you import something like this, you know it’s not as simple as getting the box off the plane and then opening it up and putting it on the shelves. You’ve got to relabel it,” said McClain.
The grocers’ association representative said it’s difficult to pin down a timeline when infant formula will be widely available again. The Abbott Nutrition facility is ramping back up operations after reaching an agreement with the FDA.