Baby Formula Shortage: Target, CVS Latest OH Stores To Implement Limit

OHIO — CVS and Target have become the latest stores in Ohio — and across the nation — to limit baby formula purchases, the chains confirmed. Walgreens announced limits earlier this week.

Each company has a limit of three infant and toddler formula products per visit in-store or online, the chains said.

Supply issues and baby formula recalls are among the factors contributing to a 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 more than 240 pharmacies in Ohio.

"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 230 locations in Ohio, while the state has around 64 Target stores.

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.