Baby formula shortage starting to affect Lethbridge parents

A baby formula shortage in the United States is starting to affect some families in Lethbridge.
"We are in a really tough situation because Luca can't have just any formula," said Charidy Spencer, whose five-month-old son has a milk protein allergy.
Spencer says she’s been to stores across the city looking for specialized formula, with many shelves out of stock. She says finding the specialized formula could be challenging even before the shortage, but now it’s nearly impossible.
"Hypoallergenic formulas, they taste terrible and they smell terrible, so when you find one that works, you don't want to have to switch," she said. "It's a terrible thing to go through."
Some brands of formula are still available, but more specialized options aren't.
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.
"It really was just a matter of time before the recall affected the Canadian market," said Sylvain Charlebois, director of agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University. "That's what we’re seeing right now."
According to Charlebois, 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 the production actually goes to China, and they're operating at a 60 per cent capacity, so one has to wonder whether that capacity is enough to support the Canadian market," he said.
Charlebois says the Abbott formula plant in Michigan could reopen in just a couple weeks, at which time it would take another four to six weeks to stabilize the supply.
Many stores are limiting the number of containers that can be purchased by a customer to counter the shortage.
With shelves becoming bare in Lethbridge, Spencer says she's trying to switch formulas, but pharmacists are cautioning against that move.
"Try not to change it, and if you want to change it, do not change it by yourself. Check with a pharmacist, we have extensive resources available to figure out what formula would fit best for their needs," said Vishal Sukhadiua, owner and pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe.
Charlebois says the shortage is expected to continue until mid-June.
Spencer says while she has enough stock for the time being, she’ll continue to keep an eye out when visiting the grocery store as the uncertainty continues.
"We have friends and family looking all over Alberta for us. Everywhere from Medicine Hat up to Edmonton, basically, and all the way across," she said.
Health Canada says a potential shortage of sunflower oil could also have an affect on formula stock.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Be prepared for delays at any point': Canada not flying alone in worldwide travel chaos
As Canadian airports deal with their own set of problems amid the busy summer travel season, by no means are they alone.

BREAKING | Several people shot at Copenhagen shopping mall, Danish police say
Danish police said Sunday that several people were shot at a Copenhagen shopping mall. Copenhagen police said that one person has been arrested in connection with the shooting at the Field's shopping mall, which is close to the city's airport.
Glacier collapses in Italian Alps, killing at least six
Parts of a mountain glacier collapsed in the Italian Alps on Sunday amid record temperatures, local authorities said, killing at least six people and injuring eight.
Blue Jays mourn death of first base coach Mark Budzinski's daughter
First base coach Mark Budzinski is taking a leave of absence from the Toronto Blue Jays following the death of his daughter.
Scene of Saanich, B.C., shooting cleared, businesses reopened, police say
The remaining businesses on Shelbourne Street in Saanich, B.C., that had been closed after last week's shooting at a Bank of Montreal branch have now reopened, police say.
Russian ship carrying Ukrainian grain detained by Turkish customs, ambassador says
Turkish customs authorities have detained a Russian cargo ship carrying grain which Ukraine says is stolen, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey said on Sunday.
'Incompetence is incalculable': Airport frustrations sour Canadians' summer travel plans
CTVNews.ca asked Canadians to share their travel horror stories as cancelled flights, delays and lost luggage throw a wrench in Canadians' summer travel plans, due in part to staffing shortages at Canadian airports. Some report sleeping at airports and others say it took days to get to or from a destination.
Calgary's new 'Museum of Failure' aims to spark creativity
It's been said no one's success is complete without failure, but a new international exhibit in Calgary is proving that even some of the most talented innovators had some of the worst ideas for consumers.
'Ungrading': How one Ontario teacher is changing her approach to report cards
An Ontario high school teacher plans to continue with an alternative method of grading her students after an experiment last semester in which students proposed a grade and had to justify it with examples of their work.