Rep. DeLauro, Sen. Casey Introduce Infant Formula Made in America Act

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Infant Formula Made in America Act, legislation that would create a new tax credit program to support new or expanding small U.S. infant formula producers.

In February 2022, following reports of illnesses and two deaths due to contaminated formula, a voluntary recall of powdered infant formula products was issued along with a shutdown of a major manufacturing plant. According to a press release from Rep. DeLauro's office, this strained supply chains and triggered a national shortage of infant formula. 

“The 2022 infant formula shortage was generated because of two key issues: food safety and supply,” said Rep. DeLauro. “It left families and parents scrambling to find infant formula on scarce shelves, and facing the fear that the formula they had purchased may not be safe for their baby’s consumption if they even found it. No parent should face this, and it is why I am committed to enacting policies that prevent a future shortage. While I have introduced several bills to improve food safety, we must also unravel the heavily consolidated market that greatly contributed to the 2022 shortage. The Infant Formula Made in America Act would give smaller manufacturers a boost to compete with giants in the industry and improve market diversity.”

Sen. Casey added: “The infant formula shortage was a terrifying burden on families. Too many parents and caregivers were left tired and scared, and we need to make sure this never happens again — there is no greater fear than not being able to feed your child. The Infant Formula Made in America Act is a vital step in expanding the supply chain, investing in American manufacturers, and keeping infant formula on the shelves.”

To be eligible for the tax credit program, infant formula would need to be produced and sold in America.

“It took a national crisis of America not being able to feed babies to realize how badly the infant formula industry needs to be reformed, to break up concentration with choices that are accessibly priced for the American family,” said Laura Modi, CEO and co-founder of Bobbie. “This bill supports rebuilding manufacturing resiliency in America for new, smaller players so we are never one bacteria away from another shortage. I’m so grateful to Congresswoman DeLauro and Senator Casey for championing this long-term solution; American families and our next generation deserve it.”

The legislation is endorsed by Bobbie, the National Milk Producers Federation, CROPP Cooperative, Organic Valley, and the North America Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, according to the press release from Rep. DeLauro's office. 

“The food we give our babies should be the safest products on the market,” continued DeLauro. “It is time to secure the domestic supply of infant formula and ensure no giant corporation can cut corners in production that would result in harm to American families or babies.”

A fact sheet on the legislation is available here. The bill text is available here.