FDA recall causes formula shortage, leaving some Nebraskans scrambling

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraskans are feeling the effects of the Food and Drug Administration’s infant formula recall in February.

The shortage has parents across the state struggling to find their child’s formula.

Grocery stores in south Lincoln like Walmart and Target have even started rationing the amount of formula families can receive.

One Lincoln mother, Nalani Latehoff, said she’s had to quickly ween her child off of formula since the shortage.

“It’s been really hard with formula; you can’t find formula anywhere,” she said. “At least for my baby specifically, she needs lactose-sensitive formula, and it’s just been out everywhere. We’ve been so, we’ve just had to hurry up and wean her off of it.”

Sammie Olson of Omaha doesn’t have the same choice with her 9-week-old newborn, Lilian.

“So my daughter was actually born just as the shortage was happening, and when I first found out, I thought if I have to supplement, I’ll take whatever is available and then breastfeed, but unfortunately I was unable to breastfeed,” she said. “I rely almost 100% on formula.”

Dr. Michael Schooff, primary care medical director at CHI Health, recommends abiding by infants’ needs and not using alternate formulas to supplement them.

“You don’t want to try to make your child’s formula; you don’t want to water down the formula to make it last longer,” he said. “I do recommend either breast milk or formula for all infants for up to one year of age. Then after a year of age, they can transition to whole milk, then after two years of age, whatever milk product the family likes to drink.”

According to retail software company Datasembly, about 31% of infant formulas are out of stock nationwide.

And there’s no sign that production will increase.