The Daily What Really Caused the Baby Formula Shortage
5 snips
May 27, 2022 
Christina Jewett, an investigative reporter at The New York Times specializing in the Food and Drug Administration, dives deep into the baby formula shortage. She reveals how contamination by deadly bacteria sparked this crisis, linking it to regulatory failures and manufacturing lapses. Jewett also highlights the emotional toll on struggling parents trying to find safe nutrition for their infants. Additionally, she discusses the complex supply chain issues and the urgent need for better safety measures and communication in the industry.
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Empty Shelves
- Michael Barbaro visits a Walmart in Poughkeepsie, New York, to investigate the baby formula shortage.
- He finds the shelves completely empty, with store employees unsure when new stock will arrive.
Cronobacter Sakazakii
- Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, found in many places like kitchen sinks, is usually harmless.
- It poses a serious threat to newborns, potentially causing meningitis, sepsis, bowel issues, and even death.
2001 Outbreak
- In 2001, a Cronobacter outbreak in a Tennessee NICU led to one infant death and several illnesses.
- The source was traced back to both opened and unopened baby formula cans, implicating the manufacturing process.