Pete Buttigieg says the baby formula shortage has hit him directly because he and husband Chasten have had to 'root around' to find it for their nine-month-old twins

• Pete Buttigieg said the baby formula shortage is affecting him and his husband Chasten as they have had to 'root around' for food for their twins 
• He said twins Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg are 'completely reliant' on formula 
• 'Like millions of Americans we've had to root around find different solutions. Spend more time clicking and clicking online - even get in touch with relatives out of state. We're okay we've figured it out at least for now,' he told Sirius XM 
• FDA working on plan to get more formula on shelves 

Pete Buttigieg said the baby formula shortage is affecting him and his husband Chasten as they have had to 'root around' and talk to friends out of state to get food for their nine-month old twins.

The transportation secretary said their twins - Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg - are 'completely reliant' on formula. 

'Like millions of Americans we've had to root around find different solutions. Spend more time clicking and clicking online - even get in touch with relatives out of state. We're okay we've figured it out at least for now,' he told Sirius XM. 

'But I think a lot about the situation for parents who don't have the time or don't have a car, don't have the money to be able to from from store to store to store looking for solutions,' he added. 

The FDA on Friday announced it was working to streamline a process that will get more products to consumers - while also meeting safety, quality and labeling standards.

Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf said the agency will announce plans this week detailing how manufacturers and suppliers abroad will be able to more easily import their products into the U.S., as well as new options for American companies.

The $4 billion U.S. baby formula market is dominated by domestic producers, with import options limited, subject to high tariffs and onerous safety rules that include labeling standards.

The FDA could have fast-tracked approval for baby formula products that are widely available in Europe, but the health agency has a history of dragging its feet on approving products for consumption in the U.S. long after European regulators have deemed them to be safe. 

The $4 billion U.S. baby formula market is dominated by domestic producers, with import options limited, subject to high tariffs and onerous safety rules that include labeling standards.

These longstanding rules have exacerbated the current crisis - and are central to officials' efforts to ease the shortage.

'We believe these and other ongoing efforts will help dramatically improve the supply in the U.S. in a matter of weeks,' FDA commissoner Robert Califf wrote on Twitter. 'Our data indicates that in-stock rates in retail stores are stabilizing but we continue to work around the clock to further increase availability.'

Meanwhile, the head of one of the four companies that control upwards of 90 percent of the U.S. market for baby formula on Friday warned that he expects shortages and heightened demand for formula to last for the 'balance of the year.' 

Califf rejected that prediction on Monday, saying that he expects an update on getting more product on the shelves by the end of the day. 

 'We are moving on the product that was intended for other countries,' Califf told 'Good Morning America' Monday. 'And I anticipate that by the end of the day today, we'll have a detailed announcement about how that's possible.'

'Remember that the instructions need to be in a language that can be understood by mothers and caregivers that are putting the formula together for these infants and also, we have to be able to test the formula to make sure that the 30 required constituents are actually there in the right amounts,' he added.

'We're working really closely with Abbott and I expect in a very short period of time, we're gonna have an announcement about the path forward. I think we figured out what to do,' Califf told 'GMA.' 'Abbott's recently indicated that in as short as two weeks, they can be in action and begin to do their part and getting supply back on the shelves. Of course, it takes longer to get in full motion.'