The American newspaper “The Wall Street Journal” reported that US attempts to overcome the crisis over the lack of infant formula faced a problem represented by the disruption of the supply of sunflower oil from Ukraine, one of the main ingredients.
Americans now import baby food from Europe on military transport planes and use wartime laws to increase domestic production of a product that the U.S. is estimated to lack supply by 40 -50% of needs.
“Many producers use sunflower oil as a necessary source of fat for infant formula blends. Ukraine used to be the number one source of sunflower oil, but supplies have been reduced to a minimum, ”said a newspaper report.
The Wall Street Journal quoted industry experts as saying it would take time to find alternative providers or change makeup.
Against tight supply, the price of sunflower oil rose in April 2022 to $ 2,276 per tonne, from $ 1,500 in February 2022, according to the newspaper report, citing World Bank data.
And the shortage of infant formula in the United States emerged after regulators shut down a production line owned by the company “Abbott”, on suspicion it was contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.
Source: RIA Novosti
Source: Arabic RT
