A countrywide infant formula shortage has prompted the mayor of New York City

In the midst of a statewide infant formula scarcity, Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a state of emergency on Sunday, empowering the city to crack down on price gouging of the crucial substance used by families.

The ruling will provide the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection the jurisdiction to prevent price gouging for infant formula under New York City regulations, according to Adams’ office.

The scarcity has created “unimaginable agony and worries” for New York City families, according to the mayor.

“The countrywide baby formula crisis has caused families throughout New York unfathomable anguish and concern — and we must act quickly,” Adams said. “This emergency executive order will assist us in taking action against any store attempting to profit from the situation by inflating the price of this critical item. Our message to struggling women and families is straightforward: our city will do all possible to help you during this difficult time.”

In the midst of a statewide infant formula scarcity, Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a state of emergency on Sunday, empowering the city to crack down on price gouging of the crucial substance used by families. According to a news release, anyone in New York City who is overcharged for infant formula can register a complaint atnyc.gov/dcwp.

The nationwide baby formula shortage has worsened recently as a result of Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of specific powdered formulas made at its Sturgis, Michigan, facility following four complaints that four babies who consumed products made at the plant became sick with a bacterial infection, two of whom died.

Across the country, there are bare shelves due to a baby formula scarcity.

After a voluntary recall caused Abbott Nutrition to suspend operations at its Sturgis, Michigan factory, the firm announced in a statement on May 11 that it might be months before goods from the facility reach retailer shelves. The factory was shut down in February. Abbott claims that none of the newborn fatalities are connected to any of the Sturgis plant’s products.

President Biden made many steps to alleviate the persistent shortfall, including using the Defense Manufacture Act to speed up infant formula production and announcing a military mission to deliver the commodity from overseas to the United States.