Baby Formula

Abbott's facility has now closed and reopened twice this year. The baby formula plant had previously closed in February because of bacterial contamination.

The Ohio Department of Health is working with the United States Department of Agriculture to get waivers for families enrolled in WIC so people have more formula options during the national shortage.

Abbott's initial re-release of products will be available to consumers beginning around June 20, the company says. The facility was forced to close after a bacterial contamination at the site.

"We're sorry to every family we've let down," wrote CEO Robert Ford. The shuttered plant at the heart of the shortage will reopen in June, but it may take months before production is back to normal.

Biden is also authorizing the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly formula supplies that meet federal standards from overseas to the U.S.

Just a handful of formula makers dominate the industry so a single plant shutdown can lead to empty shelves.

A breastfeeding program at Nationwide Children's Hospital has received many questions about how to best feed babies during the nationwide infant formula shortage.

Parents who depend on the WIC program are struggling to get enough formula for their infants.

Some 29% of baby formula products were out of stock at retailers across the U.S. during the week of March 13, according to the firm Datasembly.