An ethical group has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Biden administration, alleging that it concealed information about the scarcity of infant formula.
An August Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from The Functional Government Initiative seeking FTC information related to its probe into the nationwide shortage was allegedly disregarded.
FGI believes that FTC officials and personnel discussed and participated in making judgments concerning the investigation into the baby formula problem and then carried those decisions out. The complaint claims that “the public does not have an ability to simply review the decision-making surrounding the FTC’s probe.”
The Biden administration was aware of a potential shortage of infant formula months before it actually happened, according to National Economic Council Director Brian Deese’s admission in May.
Nonetheless, the FDA reported in September that the shortfall was the result of an issue with production at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Michigan.
One-third of homes still have trouble obtaining infant formula nearly a year after the crisis began, according to a survey published earlier this week.
Household Pulse, a poll conducted by the Census Bureau, found that 20% of families still had trouble purchasing enough infant formula to last a week.
From a peak of 30 percent in July, the percentage of powdered formula that was out of supply dropped to around 18 percent in September.
According to IRI, a market research agency, the rate of out-of-stock food items is roughly 5%, and anything beyond 10% is worrisome.
After a whistleblower reported hazardous and filthy working conditions at the Michigan factory to the FDA, the Biden Administration did nothing for four months.
The FDA decided to shut down the factory in February 2022, which led to a statewide scarcity of infant formula and widespread fear.