Amid a crisis-level baby formula shortage in America, Congressman Steve Womack is pushing new legislation, the Formula Act, to strengthen and stabilize supply and prevent future crises.
Congressman Womack said, “It’s unthinkable knowing families are struggling to find formula for their babies. This preventable crisis should have never happened, and there is no time to waste in ensuring this vital source of nutrition is readily available. This bill will quickly increase safe formula options for infants in Arkansas and across the nation. Congress should immediately vote on it.”
The bill, cosponsored by Rep. Womack, directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish and communicate to Congress clear standards for domestically produced formula. These standards would then be applied to foreign infant formula to allow formula imports and support domestic manufacturers. The United States does not currently import foreign infant formula because the FDA does not have interchangeable standards in place to ensure foreign formula complies with U.S. health codes and regulations. By codifying standard regulations for infant formula, this legislation would allow America to safely import foreign infant formula to complement domestic production, particularly during times of severe shortage like American families are now facing.
Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
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