The United States is entering its fourth month of an infant formula shortage, and disturbing new numbers released Friday show the situation hasn’t gotten any better. According to Datasembly, more than 70 percent of infant formula is out-of-stock across the country, affecting millions of families. That’s up from 43 percent just a few weeks ago—and in many states, the percentage is even higher.

In February, Abbott Nutrition, the largest manufacturer of infant formula in the country, shut down one of its largest plants in Sturgis, Michigan and recalled its products due to contamination problems. And this exacerbated pandemic supply chain issues. The plant was shut down after four babies were reported having rare bacterial infections last fall. Two of the infants died. The babies had reportedly consumed formula from the Abbott plant, but after an investigation, the FDA found no conclusive evidence that the strains came from that plant.

Last Wednesday, while testifying to a House of Representatives Oversight Panel, the head of the FDA Dr. Robert Califf, detailed the “egregiously unsanitary” conditions of Abbott Nutritions’ plant in Michigan.

On Tuesday, Abbott announced that it will begin reopening its Michigan plant by June 4, with some formula expected to start rolling out by the end of June, although full production of the plant will take longer. 

In the meantime, President Biden’s Operation Fly Formula has announced its fourth additional shipment of infant formula from overseas, in an effort to offer caregivers some relief during this continuing shortage.

But for now, the desperate searching for infant nutrition continues for so many. We spoke to Sarah Cosley who lives in Dubuque, Iowa, and started a Facebook group called the Infant Formula Shortage Support Group to connect with other parents struggling to find baby formula. 

We also speak with Carla Cevasco, an assistant professor of American Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, and author of “Violent Appetites: Hunger in the Early Northeast,” about the history of infant formula and the reasons why some people cannot or choose not to breastfeed.