Low stock levels have been worsened by the global shortage of sunflower oil, which is a key ingredient in certain types of formulas. Information from Datasembly in mid-May showed that stocks of baby formula were down by over 50% in eight states, leaving panicked parents struggling to feed their children.

To mitigate the crisis, which some people have described as a "public health emergency", lawmakers have introduced a bill called the Urgently Feeding America's Babies Act. This classifies baby formula as "a scarce and critical material", allowing America to import more products from Europe.

On 22 May, 78,000 pounds (39 tons) of baby formula arrived in Indianapolis, the first of a series of deliveries that will hopefully relieve the shortage. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also announced that it expects to receive two million cans of baby formula from the UK in June. In addition to this, the UK-based baby milk brand Kendamil also plans to ship 100 truckloads of its products to America over the next six months.

Major product shortages affecting America