COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the country deals with the ongoing baby formula shortage, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff shared how the state is working to address the situation.
The Ohio Department of Health has applied for USDA waivers, which, according to a press release from ODH on Wednesday, could "potentially extend even more flexibilities to families purchasing infant formula using WIC benefits."
"At ODH’s request to the USDA, we have been given approval to apply for additional waivers that are available through the USDA," said Dr. Vanderhoff while discussing the shortage during a COVID-focused press conference Wednesday morning. "We’re doing this out of an abundance of caution, recognizing again we are not a state that is contracted with Abbott, the company that has the production issue."
Dr. Vanderhoff noted that Ohio's WIC program is a customer of formula manufacturer Mead Johnson, which he said has been able to produce formula.
“The Ohio Department of Health is very concerned about this nationwide shortage, and we’re doing all we can to help families who may be affected,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “We’ve been communicating directly with formula manufacturers who assure us they’re working to meet the demand and address the shortage.”
He also issued the following warning for parents.
“We strongly warn against any attempt to dilute your formula or to make homemade formula,” Dr. Vanderhoff added. “These are just not good options. If your child is on a specialty or medical formula, call your child’s health care provider to ask about adjusting their prescription to an appropriate alternative formula.”
One suggestion: Dr. Vanderhoff said parents can check this guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help locate baby formula. He also highlighted the state's WIC program as another potential option.
“The Ohio WIC program, which helps woman and their infants up to age 5 who are at risk for inadequate nutrition, has been working with federal agencies involved in the oversight of the program as well as formula manufacturers to mitigate the impact of this nationwide shortage on our infants right here in Ohio until production is fully restored,” he said. “Many participants in the WIC program, in fact, have medically complex needs and are on prescription formula. WIC actively works with dietitians and health care providers to help find the best options to keep these infants healthy.”
On a national level, NBC reports that Congress is requesting $28 million in emergency FDA funding, and introducing legislation to increase FDA staff and increase inspections.
On Thursday, the head of the FDA will address the House Committee during a hearing on the formula shortage.
Here’s how the WIC program is explained by the Ohio Department of Health’s site:
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC helps income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to five years of age who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition.
The program improves pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services necessary for full-term pregnancies; reduces infant mortality by reducing the incidence of low birth weight (infants under 5 ½ pounds are at greater risk of breathing problems, brain injuries and physical abnormalities), and provides infants and children with a healthy start in life by improving poor or inadequate diets.
WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support; supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as cereal, eggs, milk, whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables, and iron-fortified infant formula; and referral to prenatal and pediatric health care and other maternal and child health and human service programs.
Those interested in the WIC program can APPLY HERE. Check the WIC directory HERE to find a clinic near you or call 1-800-755-GROW (4769).
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on May 16, 2022.