Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Thursday signed an executive order with the goal of blocking potential price gouging of infant formula throughout the state.
The new order “declares that a period of abnormal economic disruption exists and prohibits price gouging of infant formula for the next 90 days.”
“No kid should ever go hungry, and no parent should have to worry about having access to formula, especially if their infant has special nutritional needs,” said Gov. Evers. “As families continue to feel the squeeze of rising costs and folks face difficulty getting supplies and resources quickly, this order makes it clear that retailers looking to take advantage of vulnerable families during this formula shortage will not be tolerated.”
Across the country, parents have scrambled to find formula for their children as store shelves become empty.
The federal government has taken multiple steps to attempt to solve the shortage. For example, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed up production. The Food and Drug Administration is streamlining the process to bring in formulas from other countries.
“The FDA is leaving no stone unturned to further increase the availability of infant formula. We are doing everything in our power as part of the all-of-government efforts to ensure there’s adequate product available wherever and whenever parents and caregivers need it,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Today’s action paves the way for companies who don’t normally distribute their infant formula products in the U.S. to do so efficiently and safely. We are hopeful this call to the global market will be answered and that international businesses will rise to the occasion to assist in bolstering the supply of products that serve as the sole source of nutrition for many infants.”
Despite the steps, Republicans have blasted Biden for being too slow to react.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
