Factbox: Global baby formula makers send products to restock U.S. shelves
May 31 (Reuters) – Global companies that make baby formula are bringing products into the United States after the country’s health regulator relaxed its import policy to address a nationwide shortage partly triggered by Abbott Laboratories’ (ABT.N) manufacturing plant in Michigan recalling some products in February.Importers include Neocate maker Danone SA (DANO.PA), while New Zealand’s dairy giants Fonterra (FCG.NZ) and a2 Milk (ATM.NZ) have submitted applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for supplying baby formula to the United States.Once the products arrive in the country and receive a sign-off from the FDA, the manufacturers distribute them through their existing supply chains and cater to unfulfilled orders, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.Here’s a list of companies that are bringing in baby formula to the U.S. market in the wake of the crisis:On May 27 Bubs Australia Ltd (BUB.AX) announced their plan to ship at least 1.25 million cans of several varieties of its formula On May 26 Danone SA (DANO.PA) announced they have doubled shipments of their formula, with about 500,000 additional cans to be sent to the U.S.On May 22 Nestle SA (NESN.S) confirmed they have been flying supplies from the Netherlands and Switzerland and delivered 132 pallets of their Health Science Alfamino and Alfamino Jr infant formulasAnother 114 pallets of Gerber Good Start Extensive HA formula are set to arrive in the coming daysOn May 24 Kendal Nutricare announced about 2 million cans of infant formula are expected to reach U.S. store shelves beginning in June, with 40,000 cans in stock for immediate dispatch And on May 16 Reckitt Benckiser (RKT.L) has boosted baby formula production by about 30% and expediting the approval of some products made at a facility in Mexico.
