Cayman’s supply of baby formula is not at risk despite shortages in the US, with steps being taken to ensure stocks are not impacted, according to local supermarkets.
Julian Foster, senior marketing manager at Foster’s, in an emailed response to Cayman Compass queries about the US shortage’s impact on local supplies, said parents can be assured that stock is available on local shelves.
“[We] are working with our vendors to ensure we’re able to continue to receive product. While we are facing some challenges due to the supply issues in the US, we’re looking for alternative supply in other markets to ensure we’re able to continue to have product on the shelf,” he said.
More imports heading to Cayman
The US reported shortages of baby formula last week, following supply challenges and recent safety recalls.
Here in Cayman, local supermarkets confirmed that there is no need for parents to panic about feeding their children, as has been the case in parts of the US.
“We still have some large varieties of Enfamil, Similac, Cow & Gate, Lasco in-store at Hurley’s… [and have] a large supplement coming directly from the UK in the next month,” Erin French, the supermarket’s manager, told the Compass via an emailed statement.
However some mothers have reported difficulty getting hold of the formulas they’ve been giving their babies. The most impacted brand is the Similac line of products which were recalled by the US FDA.
French explained that what distributors are seeing with baby formula mirrors what they have experienced over the past two years, since supply chains started to be affected by COVID.
“The manufacturers simplify their range and stop production of their smaller brands/lower volume, [and] prioritize manufacturing of their core range,” she said.
Over at Kirk Market, marketing manager Camille Humphreys said shelves are stocked and parents need not worry.
“Apart from the brands affected by the Abbott recall, we currently do not have any stock or supply-chain issues with our other baby formula brands. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with our suppliers to ensure our stock levels of the unaffected brands remain uninterrupted,” Humphreys said in an emailed comment.
How it happened
In February, the US Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formulas, after illnesses among infants who were reported to have consumed these products, manufactured in Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility.
The shutdown of the massive plant coupled with panic buying by retailers and customers in the US caused the massive shortage.
On Monday, the FDA announced guidance that outlined increased flexibilities regarding importation of certain infant formula products to the US to further increase the availability of infant formula “across the country while protecting the health of infants”.
Enfamil’s manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser, in a statement to local supplier, Progressive Distributors, indicated that in response to shortages, it has instituted a number of measures, including shipping over 30% more product in the first quarter to ease the pressure on the market.
The manufacturer said it is running factories 24/7 with three shifts per day, and rationalising its portfolio to focus on those sizes that allows it to provide the most formula.
“We have also significantly increased our quality assurance resources to make sure our rigorous safety standards are maintained… We understand that this situation is worrisome to parents and know how important infant formula is for babies and children who rely on it. We are doing all we can to reduce disruption,” Reckitt Benckiser said in its statement.
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