ATLANTA — As the shortage of baby formula continues across the country, Gov. Brian Kemp is calling on the Biden administration to take immediate action to help resolve the problem.
Kemp and 18 other governors across the country signed a letter detailing their concerns.
“This crisis has been exacerbated by surging inflation and the rising costs of consumer goods, and President Biden and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have failed to adequately address the nationwide formula shortage,” Kemp said. “Instead of shifting blame and delaying action, my fellow governors and I are imploring them to take additional steps to increase formula availability while also addressing the underlying regulatory barriers that led to a shortage of this significance.”
Last week, Biden announced that he invoked the Defense Production Act to speed up the manufacturing of American-made infant formula.
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The act allows the federal government to have more control over industrial production during emergencies, according to The Associated Press. It also permits the administration to direct suppliers of formula ingredients to prioritize delivery to manufacturers of formula.
The president also directed the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture to use aircraft from the Department of Defense to pick up infant formula from overseas that meets U.S. health and safety standards.
“I know parents all across the country are worried about finding enough infant formula to feed their babies. As a parent and a grandparent, I know just how stressful that is,” Biden said in a video posted on Twitter.
On Thursday, Kemp renewed the State of Emergency for Supply Chain Disruptions executive order. The order prohibits price gouging of baby formula.
If Georgians feel they have fallen victim to price gouging, they should contact the Attorney General’s Office.
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