[Washington, 18th Reuters]–On the 18th, US President Joe Biden responded to the domestic shortage of infant formula by invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to create a system that allows manufacturers to procure and increase production of necessary raw materials. rice field.
According to the White House, raw material suppliers are being asked to prioritize infant formula makers.
Biden also instructed the Department of Health and Agriculture to use Pentagon commercial aircraft to import powdered milk that meets US health and safety standards from abroad.
Biden said in a letter to Secretary of Health and Welfare Besera and Secretary of Agriculture Billsack that the industry as a whole needs to increase production in the coming weeks and months, noting that it will be connected with imported products until production can be increased. He said, “I urge you to take all appropriate steps to expedite additional imports of safe infant formula.”
According to the White House, detouring the usual air cargo routes will speed up imports and domestic distribution.
In the United States, Abbott Laboratories, the largest producer of powdered milk in Japan, recalled the product in February after allegations of a bacterial infectious disease, and the shortage of products became more serious. Abbott announced on the 16th that it has obtained the consent of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to resume milk powder production at its Michigan plant.
