The closure of one baby formula plant shouldn’t cause a nationwide shortage right? Can’t we rely on other baby formulas from manufacturers around the world to also be on our store shelves? Unfortunately, it seems we cannot.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that strict U.S. protectionist rules almost entirely block foreign baby formula from being imported to the U.S. according to Real Magazine. And what part of the U.S. government regulates those rules? The FDA!
"The need to diversify and strengthen the U.S. infant formula supply is more important than ever," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf admitted in a recent statement. "Ensuring that the youngest and most vulnerable individuals have access to safe and nutritious formula products is a top priority for the FDA."
The FDA has issued a guidance announcing the agency’s intention to temporarily exercise enforcement discretion, on a case-by-case basis, for certain requirements that apply to infant formula to address the temporary shortage
It’s good the FDA finally realized “the need to diversify.”
In the past the FDA has always prioritized putting American made formula first, essentially closing the country off to international trade with the commodity. This was implemented by imposing tough regulations and a complex approval process for foreign manufacturers who wish to sell their formula to the U.S. High tariffs are also placed on foreign formula which has made European manufacturers all but give up trying to sell their formula to America.
Instead of rolling back its policy, the FDA is now offering only technical assistance to foreign firms who want to sell their formula here. The assistance involves "advice," on how to navigate and pass the strict regulations the FDA imposes, instead of doing away with the red-tape entirely.
According to Reason Magazine, England, Germany, and the Netherlands are some of the largest providers of baby formula to the world. If these countries are able to pass E.U. regulations, that should be good enough for the FDA as well.
If regulations were relaxed, perhaps we wouldn’t need to use our military to spend millions of dollars flying powdered formula into the country. Operation Fly Formula makes the Biden administration look like heroes, when really it fails to address the heart of the problem.
Related: Biden Admin Poses As Savior For Baby Formula ... - MRCTV
Protecting national interests is a good thing. But in comparison, a free market takes care of its civilians’ needs much better than micromanaging the market.
This is what Joe Biden's economy is forcing Americans do it...https://t.co/PKnWOfI6Ii
— MRCTV (@mrctv) July 12, 2022