Babies aren’t born Democrat or Republican. They’re just born in need of nutrients to help them grow and thrive. Families need to know that the formula they’re buying is not going to make their babies sick. That was the prevailing message of Tuesday morning’s press conference at Fair Have n Community Health Care (FHCHC) on Grand Avenue that included U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, healthcare leaders, and pediatricians. Its purpose: to introduce bipartisan legislation known as the Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act. The legislation aims to modernize federal oversight of the nation’s infant formula supply and close longstanding gaps in testing, transparency, and regulatory enforcement.   The DeLauro-sponsored legislation comes on the heels of an infant formula recall by Byheart, Inc. linked to a multi-state infant botulism outbreak last November that had a reported 30 infants with suspected or confirmed cases of botulism. That’s not including several major manufacturers in recent years that have faced infant formula recalls, shutdowns, and investigations into sanitation issues and safety concerns.   “We cannot wait for another life-threatening outbreak to make the necessary regulatory changes,” DeLauro told the audience of 20, as she stood near a table with various containers of infant formula. DeLauro outlined provisions in the bill for increased testing requirements of other microorganisms; testing within the facility for contamination causes; and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notification before the product enters the supply chain. FHCHC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Suzanne Lagarde said the legislation was crucial to her organization and its patients. “We are the healthcare home for over 20,000 children under the age of 18,” she said. “We welcome, on average, over 1,200 newborns yearly to our care.” As important as it is to ensure their health, she said, “it’s our duty to be the voice for our patients, many of whom remain silent and in the shadows.” Dr. Sheyla Wagner, a FHCHC pediatrician, called the infant formula a lifeline for many families. “In underserved and lower income communities like ours, social determinants of health like food insecurity, stress and limited maternity leave can affect breast milk production, which in turn leaves families with formula as their children’s primary source of nutrition,” she said. As a pediatrician, she said, it’s her responsibility to ensure infants have access to formulas that provide the nutrition they need to thrive. When formula is unsafe or unavailable, the result is “delayed growth, nutritional deficiencies, and development delays.” While Dr. Molly Markowitz, another FHCHC pediatrician, said she advocates for breastfeeding, for many families, it’s not possible. “And formula is not just an alternative,” she said, adding that about 75 percent of infants overall will use some formula by the age of six months. “It is the safest and most reliable way for families to ensure that their child receive complete essential nutrition.” She listed the reasons families use formula: medical challenges, such as gastrointestinal issues, allergies, or a premature baby. “Formula may also be the best option for family reasons, such as needing to return to work,” she said. Markowitz recalled the severe nationwide shortage in 2022 when Abbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled powdered infant formulas produced at their Sturgis, Michigan, facility, causing a four-month shutdown. “It was an incredibly challenging time for families to have to make tough decisions around accessing formula,” she said. “It’s so critically important that families can trust that pediatrician when we say ‘Yes, this formula that you’re giving your baby is safe.’” Lynn Sherman, vice president of patient services for the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, sounded a similar refrain. “From the time that our patients are born, when they require specialized care, families trust in our care, trust that the formula that we use is safe and their children will not end up sick,” she said. “These are Connecticut’s youngest and most vulnerable patients.” At the end of the day, it’s simple, DeLauro said. “You’ve got to be able to trust the food you’re bringing home,” she said. “You have to be able to trust the formula that you’re buying at the supermarket will keep your babies growing and thriving, and not sick. That’s what’s at stake here.” Safe? Credit: Lisa Reisman photo The post DeLauro Boosts Infant Formula Safety appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less