In recent days, a significant shortage of baby formulas in the US has been reported, which has worsened recently, after Abbott, the maker of Similac, closed its plant in Michigan last February for fear of contamination in the products.
Due to the shortage and empty shelves seen in food chains across the US, there have also been reports of speculation in baby food products.
Currently, the shortage of formula products has been going on for about three and a half months and its end is not in sight.
The affair began six months ago following the deaths of two babies, after suspicion arose that they had fallen ill due to the consumption of Similac formulas.
In response, Abbott announced a recall and the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) ordered the closure of the plant in Michigan, the company's largest in the US. .
It is important to note that Similac products in Israel are not related to the American manufacturer and are imported from Europe, so there is no effect on the products in Israel.
Currently, only prescription products have been recalled in Israel, and all of Similac's operations are conducted as usual.
Abbott said that "Israel has not been affected by the shortage of baby food supplies in the United States and we are doing everything we can to address the shortage there."
Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO of the Israeli company Else Nutrition, a manufacturer of baby formulas manufactured in the US and marketed on Amazon, talks about the impact of the call for product returns: "There is a 43% decrease in the amount of baby food available in the US.
The FDA is still investigating the conditions at the plant, meanwhile trying to help with the worsening shortage by introducing foreign manufacturers.
The situation is slowly becoming a crisis, and the great difficulty is for low-income families who have difficulty meeting exorbitant prices.
Of the four giants that control 90 percent of the baby food market in the U.S., three are in the federal plan of food stamps distributed to low-income families.
"One of the companies is Abbott, and the shutdown of its largest plant in the field is a critical blow to the weakest population of all."
The Israeli company "Els", which is part of the food stamps program, stated: "Entering the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during this period is far beyond an economic move, it is a matter of values."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
