The faux outrage that Biden is stockpiling baby formula...

[Tennesseer]

Before ripvanwinkle claims the women in red are shoplifting baby formula and smuggling it to Afghani women crossing our southern border I thought I would get this subject out front.

The faux outrage that Biden is stockpiling baby formula for undocumented immigrants

“They are sending pallets, pallets of baby formula to the border. Meanwhile, in our own district at home, we cannot find baby formula.”

— Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), on social media, May 12

“While mothers and fathers stare at empty grocery store shelves in a panic, the Biden administration is happy to provide baby formula to illegal immigrants coming across our southern border. This is yet another one in a long line of reckless, out-of-touch priorities from the Biden administration when it comes to securing our border and protecting Americans.”

Cammack sparked a furor Thursday when she posted photos that compared what she said were stockpiles of baby formula for undocumented immigrants with empty grocery shelves for Americans in local stores. “You see the American government sending by the pallet thousands and thousands of containers of baby formula to the border, that would make my blood boil,” she said.

The Texas governor, along with other Republicans, quickly jumped on the bandwagon, issuing a joint statement with a president of a labor union that represents Border Patrol agents.

Cammack said she was not blaming the babies — “it is not the children’s fault at all” — but she and Abbott blasted the Biden administration for allowing this happen.

The problem is that the Biden administration is following the law — a law that President Donald Trump also followed (though he wasn’t happy about it).

The Facts
At issue is something called the Flores consent decree, which began as a class-action lawsuit regarding the treatment of migrant children. The Justice Department negotiated a settlement in 1997 during President Bill Clinton’s administration.

The Flores settlement requires the federal government to release rather than detain undocumented immigrant children, first to their parents if possible, to other adult relatives if not, and to licensed programs willing to accept custody if no relatives are available. A 2015 judicial ruling then said the Flores settlement covered all children in immigration officials’ custody, regardless of whether they were apprehended crossing the border alone or with family.

Here’s the relevant section of the settlement, which refers to the now-defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

Note the reference to food: “Whenever the INS takes a minor into custody, it shall expeditiously process the minor and shall provide the minor with a notice of rights, including the right to a bond redetermination hearing if applicable. Following arrest, the INS shall hold minors in facilities that are safe and sanitary and that are consistent with the INS’s concern for the particular vulnerability of minors. Facilities will provide access to toilets and sinks, drinking water and food as appropriate, medical assistance if the minor is in need of emergency services, adequate temperature control and ventilation, adequate supervision to protect minors from others, and contact with family members who were arrested with the minor.”

A 2015 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) document laid out national standards for transport, escort, detention and search processes. These standards are derived from the Flores settlement and a 2008 law that codified elements of Flores, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

Among those standards: “Food must be appropriate for at-risk detainees’ age and capabilities (such as formula and baby food).”

We mentioned that Trump was no fan of Flores. He tried to get rid of it but was blocked by the courts. So he followed the law, too. “We also observed all Border Patrol stations had food, snacks, juice, and infant formula available for children,” said a 2020 Department of Homeland Security Inspector General report on how the administration struggled to manage the 2019 migrant surge.

“CBP takes seriously its legal responsibility to ensure the safety and security of individuals in our custody,” a DHS spokesman said. “Ensuring migrants, including children and infants, in our custody have their basic needs met is in line with this Administration’s commitment to ensuring safe, orderly, and humane processes at our border. CBP complies with all applicable regulations for the purchase of products used in CBP facilities.”

We sought comments from Cammack, Abbott and Judd but did not get responses.

The Pinocchio Test
This is a ridiculous faux outrage. The shortage of baby formula is a serious issue that the administration is seeking to address. But at the same time, the administration cannot be faulted for following the law and providing baby formula to undocumented immigrants. Anyone who suggests this is the result of specific Biden policies, i.e., his “reckless, out-of-touch priorities,” earns Four Pinocchios.


The faux outrage that Biden is stockpiling baby formula for undocumented immigrants

[Opti]

I read that article yesterday. Does anyone know why there is a shortage of baby formula? I still see notes from time to time concerning frozen potato products at the grocery store and variety in frozen chicken still seems to be down too. With the bird flu stuff though, the latter is likely to get worse before it gets better.

[pulmonarymd]

Factory was shut down due to contamination, and it hasn't started back up again. Along with all the other issues with supply chain. But first issue is major cause.

[Tennesseer]

May 13, 2022 11:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

I read that article yesterday. Does anyone know why there is a shortage of baby formula? I still see notes from time to time concerning frozen potato products at the grocery store and variety in frozen chicken still seems to be down too. With the bird flu stuff though, the latter is likely to get worse before it gets better.

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

[djAdvocate]

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 13, 2022 11:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

I read that article yesterday. Does anyone know why there is a shortage of baby formula? I still see notes from time to time concerning frozen potato products at the grocery store and variety in frozen chicken still seems to be down too. With the bird flu stuff though, the latter is likely to get worse before it gets better.

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

[Opti]

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 13, 2022 11:00:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

I read that article yesterday. Does anyone know why there is a shortage of baby formula? I still see notes from time to time concerning frozen potato products at the grocery store and variety in frozen chicken still seems to be down too. With the bird flu stuff though, the latter is likely to get worse before it gets better.

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

This is one of the results of our brand of capitalism. Often makers consolidate and the Feds only get involved when they are worried about monopolies. Is it known which manufacturer got shutdown?

[Tennesseer]

May 13, 2022 11:16:27 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

That is quite true. Paid maternity leave allows mothers to stay home and breast feed their newborn. Not all newborns take to breast feeding so leave the formula for them.

[Opti]

May 13, 2022 11:16:27 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

Maybe. Some people in society really make life hard and uncomfortable for women who nurse in public. Bottles don't offend, but breast feeding brings out creeps and those who want to be offended.

[Tennesseer]

May 13, 2022 11:18:18 GMT -5 Opti said:

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

This is one of the results of our brand of capitalism. Often makers consolidate and the Feds only get involved when they are worried about monopolies. Is it known which manufacturer got shutdown?

Baby formula maker: It could take up to 10 weeks to get product back in stores from affected facility

[djAdvocate]

May 13, 2022 11:20:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

May 13, 2022 11:16:27 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

Maybe. Some people in society really make life hard and uncomfortable for women who nurse in public. Bottles don't offend, but breast feeding brings out creeps and those who want to be offended.

if women had maternity leave, they could nurse in private.

[djAdvocate]

It’s known that milk formula sales increase as countries become richer and more urbanised, and as more mothers enter into formal employment. Asia’s formula sales boom may be partly explained by millions of women entering the paid workforce, especially in the region’s vast manufacturing zones.


theconversation.com/the-rise-of-commercial-milk-formulas-matters-for-women-and-children-149681

[djAdvocate]

if Biden wants to reduce infant formula DEMAND, he could ask for a maternity leave mandate.  it would actually be a perfect time for it.

more from the article posted above:


Millions of women worldwide also lack adequate paid maternity leave and social protection. This means the decision to formula feed may only be done out of necessity, to avoid losing employment and income. We also know that many hospitals and healthcare settings aren’t equipped to help women establish breastfeeding, with few maternal and newborn care facilities worldwide meeting standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and newborns.

[djAdvocate]

that article is prescient.  it came out 18 months ago.

[taz157]

May 13, 2022 11:20:11 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

May 13, 2022 11:16:27 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

That is quite true. Paid maternity leave allows mothers to stay home and breast feed their newborn. Not all newborns take to breast feeding so leave the formula for them.

Paid maternity leave has nothing to do with it.

No all women can breastfeed for a variety of reasons!!!! Telling a mom that she should just breastfeed and she wouldn’t have to worry about formula is NOT helpful. You don’t know why that woman can’t breastfed. Maybe she tried and she didn’t produce enough milk. Maybe she had a medical reason she can’t. You have no idea!!

Note: A “general” you, not to Tennesseer directly.

[Opti]

May 13, 2022 11:26:51 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

May 13, 2022 11:20:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

Maybe. Some people in society really make life hard and uncomfortable for women who nurse in public. Bottles don't offend, but breast feeding brings out creeps and those who want to be offended.

if women had maternity leave, they could nurse in private.

They can nurse in private now. Do all nursing women need to modify their schedules out in public simply so they can nurse in private? Its one thing if they want to, its another if society makes it hard for them in public. 

[Opti]

May 13, 2022 11:30:08 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

if Biden wants to reduce infant formula DEMAND, he could ask for a maternity leave mandate.  it would actually be a perfect time for it.

more from the article posted above:


Millions of women worldwide also lack adequate paid maternity leave and social protection. This means the decision to formula feed may only be done out of necessity, to avoid losing employment and income. We also know that many hospitals and healthcare settings aren’t equipped to help women establish breastfeeding, with few maternal and newborn care facilities worldwide meeting standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and newborns.

Actually in this time of high inflation I think its a bad time to ask. Most employers aren't looking for more expenses and these mandates won't reach small employers that employ a large portion of the workforce. 

And we know the forced birth people do not want to support social programs. A new one would be a hard sell.

[Tiny]

“They are sending pallets, pallets of baby formula to the border. Meanwhile, in our own district at home, we cannot find baby formula.”

This made me go "wait, what?" pallets and pallets of baby formula - would feed all the babies in the district (and possibly America)??

I can't imagine the amount of baby formula going to the border would make a zot of difference any where in America.

Why isn't there hue and cry about the gas and electricity being used at the border! Surely cutting those resources would drop the price of gas and electricity!!
And water - cut off their water and Lake Powell will fill up again over night...

[bean29]

May 13, 2022 11:16:27 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

May 13, 2022 11:08:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I heard this morning that there are only four domestic makers of baby formula with one of thecfour shut down because the FDA(?) found contamination within the formula and requring to maker to fix the problem which has not been approved yet start up again.

More domestic makers of baby formula needed.

we wouldn't need so much fucking formula in the US if we had PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

Not saying that Paid maternity leave is not an issue, but for Many, nursing is not an option.  When I had my kids there was a big push to get Mothers to Nurse.  I tried with my Oldest, it was not working, and after a few weeks I gave up and went to formula.  When I had my second, my Mother asked me if I was going to try to nurse again, and I said I thought I might try again.  She told me that she felt I had Post Partum Depression when I had my Son, and said she felt my problems nursing contributed to my depression.  I am thankful she spoke up because I thought she was correct, so I did not even try to nurse my second child.  I am hearing more people say that nursing was not for them either of late. 

How does an entire plant get shut down due to contamination?  They must have more than one line right?  Some of this supply chain stuff is hard to believe especially since this is a domestic supply issue from what I understand.

[Opti]

marketrealist.com/p/why-was-baby-formula-plant-shutdown/#:~:text=The%20FDA%20shut%20down%20Abbott%E2%80%99s%20baby%20formula%20plant,in%20Abbott%20Nutrition%E2%80%99s%20plant%20located%20in%20Sturgis%2C%20Mich.

Looks like the restart in the Abbott factory starts in two weeks.

[Tiny]

I am hearing more people say that nursing was not for them either of late.

I think some who don't nurse - might pump and so their baby still gets breast milk - but that too doesn't always work and it might be an extra expense if insurance doesn't cover the cost. (it may be more common for insurance to cover the cost of the pump - a long time ago I knew a few new dads (at the office) who were unhappy with what our employer's insurance was NOT covering for the birth and after care of their child and wife. I think it was more surprise that stuff wasn't covered - even though it was a integral part of the whole baby/new mom process. (sorry just a little bit of ire at the whole pro-life thing - and the financial strain a unwanted baby can cause...)

I have two nieces who are not nursing their little ones but they are pumping... I think they both are doing a combination of breast milk and formula.

[teen persuasion]

May 13, 2022 15:53:45 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I am hearing more people say that nursing was not for them either of late.

I think some who don't nurse - might pump and so their baby still gets breast milk - but that too doesn't always work and it might be an extra expense if insurance doesn't cover the cost. (it may be more common for insurance to cover the cost of the pump - a long time ago I knew a few new dads (at the office) who were unhappy with what our employer's insurance was NOT covering for the birth and after care of their child and wife. I think it was more surprise that stuff wasn't covered - even though it was a integral part of the whole baby/new mom process. (sorry just a little bit of ire at the whole pro-life thing - and the financial strain a unwanted baby can cause...)

I have two nieces who are not nursing their little ones but they are pumping... I think they both are doing a combination of breast milk and formula.

As someone who nursed all my kids, pumping and bottle feeding sounds SO much harder.  You have all the drawbacks of both.

[Tiny]

May 13, 2022 16:02:18 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

May 13, 2022 15:53:45 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I think some who don't nurse - might pump and so their baby still gets breast milk - but that too doesn't always work and it might be an extra expense if insurance doesn't cover the cost. (it may be more common for insurance to cover the cost of the pump - a long time ago I knew a few new dads (at the office) who were unhappy with what our employer's insurance was NOT covering for the birth and after care of their child and wife. I think it was more surprise that stuff wasn't covered - even though it was a integral part of the whole baby/new mom process. (sorry just a little bit of ire at the whole pro-life thing - and the financial strain a unwanted baby can cause...)

I have two nieces who are not nursing their little ones but they are pumping... I think they both are doing a combination of breast milk and formula.

As someone who nursed all my kids, pumping and bottle feeding sounds SO much harder.  You have all the drawbacks of both.

I agree.  But there are all those benefits of breastmilk for the baby...  I'm sure there is some pressure to pump - if nursing isn't working...   atleast for the first few months after birth. 
I strongly suspect my niece will try to get as close as possible to 6 months -  it may not work out... but I think that's the plan. 
 
I knew of a few women in the office who pumped daily... after returning to the office.   A couple of the in office dads with working wives also hinted at the juggling of breast milk to the baby sitter - or to prep for a weekend away... 

[tractor]

Slightly off-topic, but one thing I think is great about where I work is that they have a nursing room, complete with a comfy chair, fridge and sink. It doesn't get used much now, as the baby's seem to come in waves, but it there for anyone who needs it.

[ripvanwinkle]

I heard that the US imports about 40% of baby formula from china.

[Opti]

May 13, 2022 20:38:30 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

I heard that the US imports about 40% of baby formula from china.

I think you probably heard wrong.


www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/baby-formula-shortage-abbott-recall/629828/


America’s baby-formula shortage has gone from curious inconvenience to full-blown national crisis.



In many states, including Texas and Tennessee, more than half of formula is sold out in stores. Nationwide, 40 percent of formula is out of stock—a twentyfold increase since the first half of 2021.


FDA regulation of formula is so stringent that most of the stuff that comes out of Europe is illegal to buy here due to technicalities like labeling requirements. Nevertheless, one study found that many European formulas meet the FDA nutritional guidelines—and, in some ways, might even be better than American formula, because the European Union bans certain sugars, such as corn syrup, and requires formulas to have a higher share of lactose.

U.S. policy also restricts the importation of formula that does meet FDA requirements. At high volumes, the tax on formula imports can exceed 17 percent. And under President Donald Trump, the U.S. entered into a new North American trade agreement that actively discourages formula imports from our largest trading partner, Canada.

[Opti]

I haven't found anything on percentage of baby formula imported, but some articles make it sound like in 2011, it was almost purely domestic production in the hands of three companies. 


marketrealist.com/p/where-is-baby-formula-manufactured/#:~:text=Baby%20formula%20is%20manufactured%20across%20the%20U.S.%20by,crisis%2C%20hitting%20poor%20moms%20and%20kids%20the%20hardest.


Baby formula is manufactured across the U.S. by different companies. Most of the baby formula that's consumed in the country is made domestically and only a small amount is imported.

Four major companies in the U.S. make baby formula — Abbott, Nestle, Mead Johnson, and Perrigo. Abbott sells Similac baby formula and some of the Similac products, especially the Similac Pro Comfort Total, have been in short supply.



Mead Johnson brands their baby formula as Enfamil, while Nestle sells the Gerber range of infant formula. Perrigo makes generic baby formulas. There are over 50 baby formula brands in the U.S.

[thyme4change]

May 13, 2022 12:06:48 GMT -5 taz157 said:

May 13, 2022 11:20:11 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

That is quite true. Paid maternity leave allows mothers to stay home and breast feed their newborn. Not all newborns take to breast feeding so leave the formula for them.

Paid maternity leave has nothing to do with it.

No all women can breastfeed for a variety of reasons!!!! Telling a mom that she should just breastfeed and she wouldn’t have to worry about formula is NOT helpful. You don’t know why that woman can’t breastfed. Maybe she tried and she didn’t produce enough milk. Maybe she had a medical reason she can’t. You have no idea!!

Note: A “general” you, not to Tennesseer directly.

I dont think anyone was implying that paid maternity leave would completely eliminate the need for formula to exist. There are plenty of people who would need formula, but maybe it would be less if mothers were able to stayed home a little longer and feed directly. Pumping at work sucks for some many reasons and is a real reason many women stop breastfeeding earlier than they needed to.

[teen persuasion]

link

Outrage creation

BY ALEX KOPPELMAN:

"Look at that," Sean Hannity said on Fox News Thursday night, pointing to a photo being shown next to him, "pallets and pallets of baby formula for illegal immigrants and their families even as hardworking American" -- and now there was another photo -- "families, we are now suffering a massive nationwide shortage." The photos had been provided to Fox by the office of GOP Rep. Kat Cammack, whose account of someone in the Border Patrol telling her of "pallets" of formula being sent to a border processing center had set off a whole outrage cycle on the right. They were used Friday morning as well on "Fox & Friends" during an extended interview with Cammack.

And they did not show baby formula.

The photo Hannity pointed to, and the one that followed it, showed boxes and boxes clearly labeled NIDO. As anyone at Fox could have discovered with about a minute’s worth of fact-checking, NIDO is not baby formula; it is powdered milk. As its maker, Nestlé, specifically notes: "NIDO® products are only intended for children ages 1 year and older."

There is undoubtedly some formula being provided to babies in these centers at the border -- you’d assume there would be, unless you expect the government to simply decide to starve babies in its care. The narrative spun over the past two days on the right, though, has let people imagine not a little bit of necessary food but rivers of formula going to the undocumented over themselves. It’s an illuminating example of how Republican politicians and right-wing media work in concert, turning the thinnest possible set of facts into days of outrage over Them getting something You deserve -- and then, as with the photos Hannity and "Fox & Friends" used, abandoning facts altogether.

[djAdvocate]

i would be surprised if we imported even close to 40% of baby formula.
there is no reason that we can't make it here, and shipping it would add
a lot to the cost.

[Opti]

Looks like we export baby formula to China. I wonder if any exporting is going on at all during this crisis.