Biden invokes Defense Production Act over formula shortage

President Joe Biden’s latest order to address the baby formula crisis requires companies that supply formula manufacturers to prioritize their orders ahead of other customers. Biden also authorized the Defense Department to work with the health and agriculture departments to launch “Operation Fly Formula,” which would involve using commercial planes to bring in formula supplies from overseas that meet federal standards. Baby formulas have become scant on U.S. store shelves in recent weeks because of supply chain disruptions and a recall by Abbott.

What else is the government doing? The House on Wednesday passed a $28 million emergency spending bill to increase resources at the Food and Drug Administration. A second bill received bipartisan support to give the secretary of agriculture the power to issue some waivers during supply disruptions. Regulators on Monday said they reached a deal with Abbott that would allow it to resume production at its Sturgis, Mich., plant after it overhauls its procedures and safety protocols. The company said it could take eight to 10 weeks before its products return to stores.

Dig deeper: Listen to Sarah Schweinsberg’s report on the baby formula scramble on The World and Everything in It podcast.