Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Health Canada warns of formula shortage for babies with food allergies

Share

Health Canada says there is currently a shortage in this country of infant formula designed for babies with food allergies and certain medical conditions amid a serious shortage in the United States.

, the health agency said the two types of products affected in Canada at present are extensively hydrolyzed infant formulas and amino acid-based formulas.

"In certain provinces, the supply of these products is not meeting demand," Health Canada warned in the statement.

These formulas are "critical" for babies who are at risk of anaphylactic allergic reactions, and Health Canada is asking that the consumption of these products be facilitated by doctors "only to babies who require them."

The agency says the infant formula shortage in the United States, caused by a major recall and subsequent closure of a production plant, has resulted in a global shortage.

Abbott recalled a number of its powdered Similac products in February after four babies, two of whom died, contracted a bacterial infection thought to be connected to a formula manufacturing facility in Michigan. Tests on the products have come back negative for contaminants in question, on Friday.

The company had previously indicated that it could take six to eight weeks after the plant – which remains closed four months after the recall – restarts for products to make it to the shelves. However, the head of the Food and Drug Administration told American lawmakers Thursday the facility could be back up and running as soon next week.

Health Canada acknowledged that this can be a "distressing situation" and said it is "doing everything it can" to mitigate its impact and provide parents with safe, healthy alternatives.

To help ease the impact of the shortage, Health Canada said it is monitoring formula supply and working with manufacturers to import products similar to that of the extensively hydrolyzed and amino acid-based formulas.

The agency has published an to help facilitate the importation of "equivalent and safe" formulas that have been approved by a foreign regulatory health authority, or are allowed to be sold in a foreign jurisdiction with quality and manufacturing standards similar to Canada.

"If additional safety or supply information is identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as needed," the agency said.

Health Canada says those parents who may be concerned about the shortage should consult their family doctor or a pharmacist about their baby's needs and possible alternative products.

If combining bottle-feeding and breastfeeding, the agency suggests trying to maintain breast milk supply and to consult a health-care professional if advice on an allergen-free diet is required.

Health Canada says parents should not use substitutes such as cow's milk, goat's milk, evaporated milk, soy or rice beverages as they are "not nutritionally complete" for an infant.

"Do not attempt to make homemade infant formula as it can put your baby's health at risk. Commercial infant formula contains many important nutrients that cannot be created at home," the agency said.

The agency advises against acquiring infant formula or breast milk from unknown sources, such as online groups.

With a file from CTVNews.ca's Solarina Ho

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford released a statement Monday marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, acknowledging what they described as the 'painful legacy' of the residential school system.

A pedestrian has died after reportedly getting struck by an OPP cruiser in Bala early Sunday morning.

The union representing longshore workers at the Port of Montreal began a three-day strike at two terminals.

Local Spotlight

A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.

When a group of B.C. filmmakers set out on a small fishing boat near Powell River last week, they hoped to capture some video for a documentary on humpback whales. What happened next blew their minds.

A pizza chain in Edmonton claims to have the world's largest deliverable pizza.

Sarah McLachlan is returning to her hometown of Halifax in November.

Wayne MacKay is still playing basketball twice at Mount Allison University at 87 years old.

A man from a small rural Alberta town is making music that makes people laugh.

An Indigenous artist has a buyer-beware warning ahead of Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Police are looking to the public for help after thieves broke into a Lethbridge ice creamery, stealing from the store.

An ordinary day on the job delivering mail in East Elmwood quickly turned dramatic for Canada Post letter carrier Jared Plourde. A woman on his route was calling out in distress.