Skip to main content
NCDHHS logo NCDHHS

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Assistance
    Assistance
    • Aging And Adult Services
    • Children's Services
    • Deaf-Blind Services
    • Disability Services
    • Disaster Preparation And Recovery
    • Guardianship
    • Hearing Loss
    • Low-Income Services
    • Medicaid Transformation
    • Medicaid
    • Mental Health And Substance Abuse
    • NC Assistive Technology
    • Pregnancy Services
    • Vendor Resources
    • Veteran's Services
    • Vision Loss
    • Vital Records
  • Divisions
    Divisions
    • Aging and Adult Services
    • Child and Family Well-Being
    • Child Development And Early Education
    • Disability Determination Services
    • Health Benefits (NC Medicaid)
    • Health Service Regulation
    • Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse
    • Office of Economic Opportunity
    • Office Of Minority Health And Health Disparities
    • Office of Rural Health
    • Public Health
    • Services for the Blind
    • Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
    • Social Services
    • State Operated Healthcare Facilities
    • Vocational Rehabilitation Services
  • Documents
  • Providers
    Providers
    • Licensure
    • Provider Info
    • LME-MCO Directory
    • Policies, Manuals and Forms
  • News
    News
    • Press Releases
    • Media Contacts
    • Events
    • Newsletter Articles
  • About
    About
    • Administrative Offices
    • DHHS Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
    • Department Initiatives
    • Grant Opportunities
    • Leadership
    • Overview
  • Contact
    Contact
    • Division Contacts
    • Hotlines
    • Report Fraud
  • NCDHHS COVID-19
  • NC.GOV
  • AGENCIES
  • JOBS
NCDHHS »   Divisions »   Child and Family Well-Being »   Community Nutrition Services »   Infant Formula Shortage

Infant Formula Shortage

We know that many North Carolina families and caregivers are worried about finding formula for their babies. Formula supply is an evolving situation. Many families are having trouble finding their usual formula, and some have needed to visit multiple stores. NCDHHS is closely monitoring supply, working with the federal government, manufacturers, and retailers to get more formula on North Carolina shelves. Our goal is to ensure safe and nutritious options for North Carolina families, and the NCDHHS team has been actively working on several fronts.

Important Reminders:

  • Remember that most families have multiple safe options for their infants even if their usual formula is not in stock. If you can’t find formula or can’t find your baby’s typical formula, work with your child’s health care provider to determine the best feeding plan.
  • Do NOT water down your baby’s formula to stretch it out, it can be extremely dangerous to your baby to do so.
  • Do NOT make homemade formula. A baby's nutritional needs are very specific, and homemade formula may contain too little or too much of certain vitamins and minerals, like iron. 
  • Do NOT buy formula from online auctions, unknown individuals, or unknown origins. Storage and shipping conditions may impact formula safety.

Additional Formula Options for WIC Participants:

To support families during the infant formula shortage, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is making it easier for WIC participants to purchase more types of formula. On May 31, 2022, the North Carolina WIC Program began issuing benefits for more sizes of Gerber formula and two additional Gerber formula products. Effective June 6, 2022, NC WIC is making even more formula brands and types available to WIC families that can be purchased at the store when approved Gerber products are not readily available. These changes will help families buy the formula that is available in stores throughout the shortage.

  • Additional Formula Options for WIC Participants (6/6/22)
  • Additional Formula Options for WIC Participants - Spanish (6/6/22)
  • Chart Showing Formula Options for WIC Participants (6/28/22)
  • Chart Showing Formula Options for WIC Participants - Spanish (6/28/22)
  • Additional Formula Options for WIC Participants – Gerber products (5/31/22)
  • Additional Formula Options for WIC Participants – Gerber products (Spanish) (5/31/22)

Infant Formula Guidance for Families:

Learn more about available resources and guidance on what families can do and what to avoid:

  • Infant Formula Fact Sheet for Families (Updated 6/3/2022)
  • Infant Formula Fact Sheet for Families - Spanish (Updated 6/3/2022)
  • Information for families having trouble finding formula and available in a wide range of languages: Arabic, Armenian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dari, English, Farsi, Haitian, Hindi, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Pashto, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese.

Most families have multiple safe options for their infants even if their usual formula is not in stock. We encourage families to ask their child’s health care provider about safe nutrition options for their baby if they are having difficulty finding their usual formula, particularly for babies who need specialized formula.

Learn more about standard formula options:

  • Infant Formula Choices for Families and Caregivers
  • Infant Formula Choices for Families and Caregivers - Spanish

Information on Formula Imported from Other Countries

The federal government is facilitating the importation of additional infant formula to ease the shortage Some of this formula is being imported through Operation Fly Formula and being distributed through typical distribution channels to stores and health care providers. The Food and Drug Administration is also easing some regulations to support the import of additional brands and types of formulas from overseas. Families can follow updates and product information on the FDA’s website.

Recommendations for using imported formula:

  • Follow the mixing instructions on the product label. These instructions may be very different from what you are used to. Some instructions will be in metric units. For more information, review the FDA’s Tips for Preparing Imported Infant Formula. 
  • Do not try to import formula yourself, because you can't be sure it meets U.S. safety standards. Rely on what has been approved by the FDA. Contact your pediatrician if you are unsure if a formula has been properly imported.  
  • Imported formulas may be labeled as "Stage 1" (for the first six months after birth, but generally can be used throughout the first year), and "Stage 2" (just for babies who are over 6 months of age).  
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics also has helpful guidance on using imported formula

Download social media graphics to help families safely use formula imported from other countries.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: English and Spanish
 

Information for Health Care Providers:

  • Infant Formula Guidance for Health Care Providers (Updated 6/17/22)
  • Understanding North Carolina WIC Breast Pump Program

Breastfeeding Resources and Support

During the infant formula shortage, some parents and expectant parents have wanted to learn more about breastfeeding. These handouts provide information and resources to support you:

  • Considering Breastfeeding
  • Considering Breastfeeding - Spanish
  • Am I Making Enough Milk?
  • Am I Making Enough Milk? - Spanish
  • Medicaid Breastfeeding Support
  • Medicaid Breastfeeding Support - Spanish

More information is available at these sites:
WIC Breastfeeding Resources
NC Making It Work Toolkit
North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute
American Academy of Pediatrics

Divisions

  • Aging and Adult Services
  • Child and Family Well-Being
    • Community Nutrition Services
      • Infant Formula Shortage
    • Early Intervention
    • Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps)
    • Learn More about DCFW
    • Transforming Child Welfare and Family Well-Being Together: A Coordinated Action Plan
    • Whole Child Health
  • Child Development And Early Education
  • Disability Determination Services
  • Health Benefits (NC Medicaid)
  • Health Service Regulation
  • Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse
  • Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Office Of Minority Health And Health Disparities
  • Office of Rural Health
  • Public Health
    • Dr. Susan Kansagra
    • COVID-19
    • Child Service Coordination
    • County Health Departments
    • Ebola Information
    • Have You or Your Children Been Exposed to Lead-Based Paint Hazards?
    • Hepatitis C Testing
    • Know Your Sickle Cell Trait
    • Monkeypox
    • NCDHHS Communicable Disease Branch Corrections Team
    • North Carolina Safer Syringe Initiative
    • North Carolina Well Contractors Certification
    • Public Health and Promoting Interoperability Program
    • Renovating your Home? What to Know About Asbestos.
    • Safety Net Dental Clinics
    • Woman's Right to Know Act
  • Services for the Blind
  • Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
  • Social Services
  • State Operated Healthcare Facilities
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Back to top

Contact Information

NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030
For COVID-19 questions call 1-888-675-4567
Visit RelayNC for information about TTY services.

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @ncdhhs

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Translation Disclaimer
  • Employee Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/formula