Peace Garden News

Senators John Hoeven and Gary Peters have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing future shortages of infant formula. This initiative comes in response to a 2022 incident involving bacterial contamination at a Michigan manufacturing plant, which resulted in the deaths of nine infants and triggered a nationwide shortage.

The proposed legislation seeks to enhance the oversight of infant formula manufacturing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The goal is to secure the supply chain and ensure that American families have access to safe infant formula.

"Access to safe infant formula is essential for families across the U.S., and as shortages in recent years have demonstrated, improvements are needed to ensure our nation continues to have a secure supply of this important product," said Senator Hoeven. "Our legislation would build greater resiliency into the infant formula market, helping to protect against contamination and bolstering supplies to prevent future shortages."

Senator Peters added, "As a father and grandfather, I was devastated for the parents who lost their children. Parents deserve to know with complete confidence that the formula they are giving their babies is safe. I’m working to make sure something like that never, ever happens again."

The Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act (PIFCA) outlines a three-pronged strategy:

1. Strengthening safety reporting: The bill mandates testing for Cronobacter or Salmonella in marketed infant formulas and requires manufacturers to notify the FDA within one business day if contamination is detected.

2. Enhancing market resiliency: The FDA would monitor in-stock rates quarterly and collaborate with other agencies to ensure long-term market demand can be met.

3. Increasing accountability: The FDA must report progress on implementing strategies developed after the 2022 recall and consult with industry on best practices for contamination mitigation.

This legislative effort aims not only to protect children but also to prevent families from facing another widespread shortage of infant formula.