An Australian company will ship more than 1.25 million cans of baby formula to the United States to help a nationwide shortage in the states.
Some of the baby formula is currently in stock for transport and more will be produced by Sydney-based manufacturer Bubs Australia in the coming weeks and months.
US President Joe Biden tweeted news that the Australian supplier would be helping to alleviate some of the surging demand in his country, by providing 22.5 million bottles of formula (there are 22 bottles of formula per can).
Supplies of baby formula first started to tighten across the US in the early stages of the pandemic, as a result of panic buying and supply chain challenges.
However, the problems were exacerbated in February when major manufacturer Abbott recalled several types of product and closed its Michigan plant in response to rare bacterial infections in four babies, two of whom died.
That left a huge supply gap in the market, which other producers could not quickly fill.
Bubs Australia has assured Australian consumers that it has supply to satisfy demand both in Australia and the United States.
The company issued a statement on its website, saying: "We have taken precautions to ensure our Australian infant formula supply will remain unchanged.
"Due to our strong control of our supply chain security and our wholly owned production facility, we have already manufactured what is required and have been able to take steps to immediately increase the level of our future production, as needed."
Abbott, the US manufacturer, said on Tuesday that it planned to restart production at the facility on June 4, adding its products would then be released to the market around June 20.
ABC/Wires
