Dorothy Philbin | CNBNewsnet
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 15, 2022)–Just about everyone knows that there is a baby formula shortage. Many of you are experiencing it. What is happening? This is America and every day we look more like a third-world country rather than the richest and most powerful nation in the world.
So, what is the story behind the story with the formula shortage? Let’s start with a few facts. The United States makes 98% of the formula we use. This is a good thing; it keeps jobs in America and we have much more control over the quality and distribution of the product. The majority of formula is used by WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) recipients. The federal government has a contract with Abbott Company to supply the formula for WIC and SNAP (formerly food stamps) administrated through the states. The states give a “discount” to Abbott et al. up to 85% This is very profitable for Abbott and the federal and state governments don’t really care because it is “We, the People” who pay for it.
Each year between and four babies are reported with infections from a bacteria called cronobacter sakazakii. Never before has a plant been closed. The closest I was able to find for the number of babies who became ill this year was four. Two babies recovered and two died. So, at some point the government closed the plant for inspection. This was the right thing to do. However, I could only come to an inspection date between January 31, 2022 and March 18, 2022. What was the time span between the disclosure of the problem, the decision to close the Michigan plant, the inspection and conclusion? We don’t know.
At the point it was determined to close the plant there should have also been a plan for an alternate source of formula. There are other U.S. based companies; but there is no evidence that this was done. We have to be more careful than usual because these are our babies, not IPhones or clothes, etc. In the past it was found that the Chinese were putting melamine into their formula. We grey hairs remember unbreakable dinnerware called Melmac which was taken off the market because it caused…yes, cancer. Where we get the replacement formula is essential but did anyone look right here in America?
According to the Washington Examiner, May 13, 2022 the inspection is complete, the results are in but the Food and Drug Administration won’t specify the exact criteria for full approval to re-open Abbott’s Michigan plant. The inspection found some of the bacteria but none in the processing area. Samples of the formula were completely free of the bacteria. Everything sounds good.
Bacteria, like humans and all other living things, has its own DNA. Scientists were able to determine that the bacterial DNA in the babies did not come from the closed plant. So why hasn’t the FDA provided a date or even criteria for a full opening?
This is where you have to take off your scientist’s hat and put on your lawyer’s hat. On May 12, 2022 the Washington Post issued a headline about the “faux outrage” over this supposed problem. The term “faux outrage” is outrageous in itself but the article went on to say there is no real formula shortage. “They” were just following the law. Fortunately, The Post printed excerpts from the law. In my opinion, for what that’s worth, it all has to do with politics and money. Here’s what happened:
In 2015 The Obama administration passed a law pertaining to illegal immigrant minors. They have to be read their rights (a minor immigrant understands his rights?) The law goes on to detail their rights as food, clothing, and shelter and a ton of other rights the average citizen doesn’t have. Last year, 2021, The Biden Administration updated the law. Read the next sentence very carefully! The update specified that the government had to supply illegal immigrant children with “baby formula and milk.” The Washington Post wrote the article with a “see, there’s no problem – we’re just following the law.”
President Biden can solve the problem with the stroke of a pen. I am usually against Executive Orders. I feel Presidents use them to make law that would normally not get through Congress. In this case I am exasperated that President hasn’t already signed an executive order to alter the “formula or milk for illegal babies” to “Give the illegals formula or milk after all the citizen and legal resident babies have been fed.”