First Focus on Children submitted the following comment to Allison Post, Chief, WIC Administration, Benefits, and Certification Branch Policy Division, Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 and Related Provisions — a proposed rule that will help maintain access to infant formula.
Excerpt from the Comment:
USDA’s rule codifies the strides made by the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 (ABFA; PL 117-129), which was passed with bipartisan support in response to the baby formula shortage in 2022. This rule will ensure that mothers and infants have access to formula during emergencies like natural disasters, public health emergencies, or supply chain disruptions. Ensuring access to formula ensures that babies across America, especially our low-income communities and communities of color, have consistent and equitable access to the nutrition they need to thrive. Enacting this rule ensures that WIC helps to prevent shortages in the future, which is a necessary and commendable step.