Business & Tech
Massachusetts CVS, Target Stores Limiting Baby Formula Purchases
CVS and Target became the latest chains to join Walgreen's in limiting baby formula purchases, amid a national shortage.
MASSACHUSETTS — CVS and Target stores, including in Massachusetts, joined Walgreens in limiting how much baby formula customers can buy, amid a nationwide shortage.
Both companies told the Wall Street Journal that customers can purchase just three infant and toddler formula products per visit in-store or online. Supply chain issues and baby formula recalls are the biggest factors contributing to the nationwide shortage.
On Tuesday, Walgreens told Patch it was enforcing the policy at all of its more than 9,000 locations across the United States. The company has 249 pharmacies in New Hampshire.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, infant and toddler formulas are seeing constraint across the country," a Walgreens spokesperson told Patch. "Similar to other retailers, we put into effect purchase limits of three per transaction on all infant and toddler formula to help improve inventory. We continue to work diligently with our supplier partners to best meet customer demands."
CVS currently has about 9863 locations in Massachusetts, while the state has 49 Target stores.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Read More: Walgreens Will Limit Baby Formula Purchases Amid Shortage
A Walmart representative told WSJ the company already has a five-per-day product purchase limit on baby formula in most states.
In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an investigation into consumer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella newport infections following a number of reported cases. Among the cases, two infants died of illnesses from Cronobacter sakazakii, a rare and dangerous germ that is particularly deadly to infants. All the cases are reported to come from consumed powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Michigan, facility.
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