Baby formula shortage leaves shelves empty at some Toronto stores
Toronto store shelves are starting to empty as a formula shortage in the U.S. appears to be affecting retail here in Canada.
Meanwhile, parents have been watching, and they're stacking up.
"We actually just grabbed some extra just yesterday," says Neva Daya, who is shopping with her 11-month-old daughter, Alivia.
Daya says that when shopping for formula, they have to look around.
"The shelves are pretty bare," she says. “You have to go to a couple stores but we were lucky amazon had some too so we stocked up there."
At one local Shoppers Drug Mart in the city, small gaps are visible where products were once stocked – also at a local No Frills store.
A nearby WalMart has an entire row missing. There is a note taped to one of the shelves saying a voluntary recall of the product Similac last February is contributing to the shortage.
Baby formula shortage at a Toronto store. (CTV News Toronto/ Sean Leathong)The Retail Council of Canada has said Canada is not in a shortage, but the recall, coupled with supply chain issues related to COVID-19 has created pressure on other brands.
“I'm probably going to buy a couple more containers of (formula), just in case, because you never know," Laura Calma says while shopping at WalMart with her two-year-old.
Calma says there is still enough product where she shops, but as a parent, she is aware of the shortage in the U.S. “It's kind of a little scary, hopefully it doesn't come here in Canada," she says.
While shelves are already starting to see gaps, one of the major manufacturers of formula says it will be at least two weeks before things improve.
In a statement provided to CTV News Toronto, Chicago based Abbott Laboratories says, "Subject to FDA approval, we could restart our Sturgis, Mich., site within two weeks."
But, there could still be some time before shelves are at full capacity, as they added, "From the time we restart the site, it will take six to eight weeks before product is available on shelves."
Neha Daya says she has noticed more than just formula becoming scarce. “There's been a lot of shortages for baby things so we've just been stocking up when we find things," she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.