Governor Kelly announced actions that have been taken to ease the burden on Kansas families affected by the nationwide infant formula shortage. Kelly said her administration has been working with state agencies and federal partners to address the issue since February.
“I have directed all state agencies to do everything in their power to help Kansans access vital infant formula,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “From increasing flexibility to helping eliminate barriers at check-out…”
The Governor instructed agencies to work with their federal counterparts to expedite relief. To that end, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working with the White House, the National Governors Association, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Association, and private industry to help coordinate efforts and eliminate red tape.
KDHE has implemented a series of waivers to provide the maximum flexibility in making more infant formula products – including Ready to Feed (RTF) formulas – available to Kansans and has approved additional formula products for use by Kansas WIC families. The agency is also working with the Kansas Department for Children and Families on increased communication efforts to inform the public of possible alternatives.
The Kelly Administration, including KDHE, recommends the following to families struggling to find the formula they need to feed their child:
- Call your OBGYN or pediatrician to see if they can provide any resources to access formula or for suggestions on an alternative formula to meet their infant’s health needs.
- Switch to another brand or type of formula that is available if recommended by the infant’s physician.
- Contact their local WIC agency to see if the infant is eligible for WIC benefits.
- Contact smaller stores and drugstores that carry formula to see if they have products in stock.
- Kansas WIC families should contact their local health department or health agency for assistance in receiving substitute products when needed.
Families are strongly encouraged not to unnecessarily stockpile formula in such a way that would cause further strain on the supply chain. Concurrently, the KDHE strongly discourages the use of toddler formula to feed infants or watering down formula or trying to make infant formula at home.
Meanwhile, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt urged all Kansas parents to be cautious when shopping for baby formula in the midst of the extreme shortage.
“Any time there is a shortage of an essential product, like baby formula, scammers will try to take advantage of Kansans in need…It is important that consumers keep their guard up and use caution to avoid falling victim to scams.” Schmidt added, “Scammers are posting bogus online offers to lure in desperate parents and trick them into turning over cash or credit card information…Meanwhile, the formula the scammers are advertising is either nonexistent, counterfeit, expired or recalled.”
Most baby formula scams being reported to the attorney general’s office are occurring online, through non-traditional retail platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, and through direct messaging on social media platforms.
The attorney general’s office offered the following guidance:
Stick with trusted vendors. When purchasing formula, stick with trusted vendors that are well known and well established. This reduces your chances of falling for a scam, and gives you a real entity you can return to if there is a problem with the product you purchase.
Know the seller. When shopping online, take the time to ensure you know who is trying to sell the baby formula. If it is an individual, see if the individual has publicly available information you can use to verify the person is who they say they are. If it is a business, check for reviews of the business to ensure they actually deliver the products people purchase.
Beware of social media. Scammers use easy-to-access platforms like Instagram and Facebook Marketplace to target young parents who are more likely to need formula. They design advertisements to make it appear that they have formula on hand, when in reality they are using stock or old images. Scammers often appear as real people, impersonating someone else by using familiar names or believable profiles. Scammers also may join parenting online groups to target specific audiences through direct messages and group messages.
Beware of fake websites. Any scammer can setup a seemingly believable website to appear as a legitimate baby formula vendor. Before you purchase from an unknown vendor, do your research on the vendor. If you cannot find anything on the vendor, or only find negative reviews, do not purchase from the vendor.
Shop with a credit card. In case of a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protections; it is easier to dispute charges that you did not approve or to get your money back if there is a problem. Debit cards, prepaid cards or gift cards do not have the same protections as a credit card.
Be aware of common scam tactics. If someone contacts you that you do not know offering to sell you baby formula, do not engage. This is most likely a scam. Scammers also use high-pressure tactics to get you to purchase now. They will warn you that their inventory is low, product is selling quickly, other buyers are waiting in line, or place extreme time deadlines on purchasing the product. If you feel pressured or feel suspicious, do not purchase from the person.
Safety check the product. If you purchase baby formula from an individual, an unknown vendor, or a third party, make sure the product is genuine and safe. Due to the recent FDA recall, scammers may attempt to sell unsafe or expired products to unsuspecting parents. Check the FDA website to determine if the formula you have purchased is subject to a recall. Ensure the brand on the label matches the brand you believe you purchased. Confirm the expiration date and be certain the product will not expire before you are able to use it all. Examine the packaging for signs of tampering or damage. If the packaging includes a sealed lid, ensure the seal remains intact.
If you believe you may have been the victim of a scam, you’re are encouraged to file a complaint with the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-432-2310 or online at www.InYourCornerKansas.org.
For more information about WIC eligibility, visit the KDHE WIC website. Find the approved substitution formula list for WIC families here.
