Plan to address nationwide baby formula shortage has some lawmakers apprehensive
CBSN
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf is testifying before Congress Thursday to address the ongoing nationwide baby formula shortage -- a problem he says he is acutely concerned about. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports the testimony is set to come after the House of Representatives passed two bills aimed at making more formula available to families.
One of the measures passed Wednesday night would loosen restrictions for families included in the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC,) which provides supplemental foods and other nutrition resources to low-income families. About half of formula purchased across the country is through WIC.
"I know what it means to run out of milk in the middle of the month," said bill-sponsor Rep. Jahana Hayes, who received WIC benefits as a teenage mother. "Many of these families may have their WIC benefits but couldn't even use them at the store because the options that were available to them were off the shelves."