Baby formula shortage affects Nova Scotia families as stores limit purchases

A baby formula shortage in the United States is starting to affect Nova Scotia families as well.

Many stores are limiting the number of containers that can be purchased by a customer to counter the shortage, which means more frequent and costly trips to the store for parents.

“I’ve noticed that you’re only allowed two cases of milk per household because of the shortage that we’re dealing with here right now,” says parent Miranda Bundy.

That limit means Bundy has to load her baby and stroller into her car more often.

“I normally buy at least three to four cases just so I could have it on hand,” says Bundy.

Sarah Kelly is in the same situation -- sort of. She has very hungry six-month-old triplets.

“Basically I just send out people I know to go to Costco and get as many as they are allowed. Two cans of formula doesn’t really make it very far when you have triplets. It only lasts about two days at the most,” Kelly says.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the formula shortage Tuesday, saying the supply of regular formula should be fine, but there could be challenges around specialized formulas for vulnerable children.

“We are confident that the work that we’re doing to secure supply from elsewhere and to ensure that Canadians have those options is going to be fine,” Trudeau said.

In February, food safety issues forced the closure of the Michigan plant that supplies much of the special formula, which has caused a ripple effect across the board.

According to industry experts, there is a baby formula manufacturing plant in Kingston, Ont., but it’s foreign-owned and all of what it produces is shipped overseas.

“All of that production is actually intended for China in particular. That has been a bit of a head-scratcher to be honest because all of a sudden we are short,” says food industry expert Sylvain Charlebois.

He says the Abbott formula plant in Michigan could reopen in just a couple weeks. Then it would take four to six weeks to once again stabilize the supply.