Spanberger Statement on FDA’s Baby Formula Imports Announcement

Last Week, the Congresswoman Pressed the White House to Consider Reducing Restrictions on Formula Imports to Quickly Get Formula Back on the Shelves in Virginia & Across the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last night announcing that it will reduce restrictions on baby formula imports as part of the ongoing response to the nationwide formula shortage.

“Until American manufacturers can produce enough formula to meet demand, we need to deploy every tool in our arsenal to address the current shortage. As I made clear to the White House last week, Virginia parents do not have time to wait for a months-long, delayed resolution to this crisis,” said Spanberger.

Spanberger continued, “I am encouraged by the FDA’s announcement, as I have been pressing the administration to seriously consider boosting imports of formula. However, we need to reserve final judgement until we actually see baby formula back on the shelves in Virginia and across the country. As a mom who used formula for all three of my daughters, I cannot imagine the worry of parents in this moment. In the days ahead, I will keep pushing for a strategy that will respond to their concerns, increase production here at home, hold regulators accountable, and lower prices for everyday consumers.”

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has been focused on responding to the concerns of Virginia parents and families during this formula shortage — and she has called for immediate action to combat the crisis from both the administration and private companies.

Last week, Spanberger urged the White House to consider a range of steps to address the shortage — including cutting red tape and increasing imports of safe baby formula from abroad.

And last Friday, Spanberger pressed baby formula manufacturer Abbott Laboratories to provide answers about the company’s efforts to increase production of formula amid the ongoing nationwide formula shortage. Abbott is the leading supplier of formula in the United States.

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