LONDON Reuters - Nestle SA will be sending baby formula supplies to the United States from the Netherlands and Switzerland to help with the shortage of U.S. supermarkets, the company said on Tuesday.
Nestle is moving Gerber baby food formula from the Netherlands to the United States, and Alfamino baby formula from Switzerland to the U.S., according to an emailed statement to Reuters.
The company said they prioritized these products because they serve a critical medical purpose, as they are for babies with cow's milk protein allergies. Both products were already being imported, but we moved shipments up and rushed via air to fill immediate needs. Baby formula aisles at U.S. supermarkets have been emptied by panicked parents since top U.S. manufacturer Abbott Laboratories recalled dozens of types of its Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formulas in February.
Reckitt Benckiser is boosting baby formula production by about 30% and making more frequent deliveries to stores as it looks to counter a nationwide shortage of U.S. supermarkets, an executive told Reuters on Tuesday.