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The Illinois Department of Human Services is taking calls at
1-800-843-6154. The phone number is meant for families on the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and
Children Program, but is open to all residents.
“We have a special obligation to WIC families. About one-half of
babies born in Illinois participate in WIC in the first year of
their lives” IDHS Secretary Grace Hou said. “We will continue to
do everything possible to safeguard their development and access
to safe, nutritious formula.”
State officials are urging retailers to set aside formula for
low-income families that get subsidies.
“We want to remind families during this time to avoid attempting
to make ‘homemade’ formula, or to hoard supplies of formula from
stores,” IDPH Acting Director Dr. Amaal Tokars said.
One major factor driving the shortage is the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration recalling products in February from a
manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, run by Abbott
Laboratories. There's an agreement to ramp up production, but
that could take weeks.
A news release from the state Tuesday said the Illinois
contracts with Mead Johnson, the Chicago-based manufacture of
"Enfamil," to exclusively supply standard infant formula for the
WIC program.
"Mead Johnson has ramped up production of its two most used
products by over 10% in March and April and 60% in May as
compared to pre-recall," a news release from the state said.
More information can be found at DHS.Illinois.gov/BabyFormula.
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield. |
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