FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 May 2022
Washington D.C. – Today, the House passed H.R. 7791, the Access to Baby Formula Act, and H.R. 7790, a supplemental funding bill, to improve American families’ access to infant formula and prevent this crisis from ever happening again. Rep. Barragán (CA-44) who voted to pass both bills last night to address this critical issue, issued the following statement:
“Tonight, the House swiftly passed two important pieces of legislation to address the infant formula shortage our country is currently facing. This infant formula shortage was caused by a voluntary recall due to a failure to adhere to food safety standards and a lack of viable purchase options beyond a small handful of companies – this has disproportionately affected women and children who use Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to purchase formula.” said Rep. Barragán. “Around half of infant formula sold nationwide is purchased using WIC benefits, which restricts the types of formulas that recipients can buy. This crisis has taken an enormous toll on WIC participants, and the Access to Baby Formula Act bill ensures they do not get left behind any longer. The bill provides flexibilities so that WIC participants can continue purchasing safe infant formula during this and any future crisis by expanding the options on the brands and amount of formula they can purchase.”
“It is also critical the FDA has the support it needs to prevent this crisis from ever happening again. We must ensure that the FDA has the resources to quickly get safe, high-quality infant formula back on grocery shelves and to parents and babies. H.R. 7790 would ensure infant formula—manufactured domestically or imported—continues to meet the highest safety and nutritional standards for babies. By passing this bill, Congress is taking important steps to end the infant formula shortage.”
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. She serves as chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security.