Free baby formula for millions of Americans as shortage continues – are you eligible?

RELIEF is on the way to families facing the nationwide baby formula shortage.

On May 25, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will soon provide free formula.

This comes as the government is criticized for responding too slowly.

Critics also say much of the problem was avoidable, as red flags cropped up in late 2021.

As The Sun covered, Walgreens had alerted customers about shortages last November.

Then came a wave of baby formula recalls in February 2022.

Recalls were made by Abbott's Similac formula, Alimentum, and EleCare.

Similac happens to be the most popular selling brand in the US and abroad.

And the shortage has been significantly worse for low-income families.

Those in the WIC Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children are limited to purchasing certain brands, some of which were recalled.

USDA, which runs WIC, said its Food and Nutrition Service has met with infant formula manufacturers about the issues.

On May 25, the USDA announced it will temporarily cover the cost of baby formula for low-income families.

How is USDA helping?

As Reuters reported, USDA will cover the cost of formulas not usually covered through WIC.

This aid is authorized under the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, signed by President Biden on May 21.

"WIC families are depending on us for the vital nourishment their babies and children need to thrive," said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

"We cannot let them down."

In addition, Abbott Laboratories, the largest manufacturer in the WIC program, has said it will honor its rebates even if shoppers purchase competing formulas.

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (commonly known as the WIC program) serves low-income women and infants who are at nutritional risk.

It is the third-largest food assistance program in the country.

WIC served about 6.2 million participants per month in 2020, including almost half of all infants born in the United States.

The federal program costs roughly $4.9billion each year.

USDA reports that infants on WIC consume about 56% of the nation's formula.

For more in consumer, see how the nationwide baby formula shortage began and how far some families are traveling to locate formula.

Plus, read about Spudpocalypse - a shortage of potatoes caused by a potato importing blockade imposed by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.