A FedEx charter flight arrived at DFW Airport Thursday afternoon with 55 tons of baby formula. Local officials say 60% of the formula will stay in North Texas' the rest will be distributed through Nestle's network.
Nestle owns Gerber. The shipment includes 1,600,000 8-ounce bottles.
"We got the sunshine. That's what counts, and we're cheering because we've got something to cheer," said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The shipment was the fifth launched under the Biden Administration's "Operation Fly Formula" and third flight to arrive.
"It was just 24/7 work to make this happen, to make things click," Becerra said.
Cook Children's Pediatrician Alice Phillips said production of formula dropped about 30% as a result of the pandemic and another 20% when Abbott Nutrition's plant closed.
"I think if parents can't find formula, they need to reach out to their village, reach out to their friends, have everyone be on the hunt," Phillips said.
Phillips urges new mothers to consider breastfeeding as an alternative. She said larger supermarkets may sell out quickly, but she suggests finding smaller stores or looking online if a child needs a specific formula.
Phillips also warns against diluting formula or trying to make their own. She also said parents may find a supply at their pediatrician.
"We have a lot of resources. We don't have everything right now. We are definitely short as well, but whatever we do have, we're going to share with you," Phillips said. "We've been given the green light by our formula reps: give it out."
The Texas Pediatric Society's Jason Terk said low-income Americans without the ability to shop around are likely to be the hardest hit.
"What I would want people to know is this is a great step toward trying to unburden families from supply chain issues," Terk said of the delivery made Thursday. "It's an excellent step in the right direction."
Terk said he hopes issues surrounding the production of formula can be resolved in the next two months.
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