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The
order comes in the wake of a product recall by top baby formula
maker Abbott Laboratories, and the closing of its manufacturing
plant in Sturgis, Michigan during an investigation by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration that has created one of the biggest
infant formula shortages in recent history for U.S. families.
The FMCSA order includes, but is not limited to, whey, casein,
corn syrup and hydrolyzed protein, and containers and packaging
for baby formula.
A separate declaration first issued in March 2020 covering
COVID-19 pandemic transportation issues has been repeatedly
extended and already covers baby formula. is currently set to
expire May 31.
FMCSA told Reuters in a statement late Monday that the agency
and the White House were asked by motor carriers and drivers on
Friday about whether specific ingredients in baby formula were
included in the waiver.
As a result, the agency moved to issue the declaration "that and
the products involved in the production of formula are included"
in waivers.
President Joe Biden last week invoked the Cold War-era Defense
Production Act to help increase supplies. On Sunday, a military
cargo plane carrying the first shipment of infant formula from
Europe to help address a critical shortage in the United States
landed in Indianapolis.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Kim Coghill and
Kenneth Maxwell)
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