NYC Baby Formula Shortage Spurs State Of Emergency Order

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency Sunday over the national shortage of baby formula.

The mayor signed the emergency executive order to combat potential infant formula price-gouging in New York City as parents struggle across the nation to find the product.

“The nationwide infant formula shortage has caused unimaginable pain and anxiety for families across New York — and we must act with urgency,” Adams said Sunday.

“This emergency executive order will help us to crack down on any retailer looking to capitalize on this crisis by jacking up prices on this essential good."

The national shortage — spurred by pandemic supply chain issues and baby formula recalls — caused stock to run out among 43 percent of tri-state area retailers and 40 percent of large retailers nationwide, according to the mayor's office.

Experts expect the shortage will continue through 2022.

Sunday's order arrived after nearly all of City Council's women lawmakers urged Adams to take action.

The 28 council members last week called on Adams to stop price gouging, suspend procurement laws and immediately purchase more baby formula for the city.

The emergency executive order gives the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection the ability to crack down on retailers boosting prices for infant formula, officials said.

New Yorkers overcharged for formula can file a complaint online or call 311 and say “overcharge.”

President Joe Biden last week invoked the Defense Production Act to encourage suppliers to prioritize formula manufacturers and directed federal agencies to import formula from abroad.

About 78,000 pounds arrived in the U.S. Sunday aboard a military plane.