West Virginia’s WIC program is returning to only offering baby formula products using the Similac formula.
The change comes after the reopening of the Abbott manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan, last July. It’s the largest formula manufacturing plant in the country.
The plant recalled its Similac formula after cases of cronobacter and salmonella infections were reported in infants who had consumed it, including one reported case in West Virginia. It caused a nationwide shortage of the then-most popular baby formula in the country. As a result, the state WIC temporarily offered comparable formulas as an alternative starting last March.
“West Virginia WIC will continue to work with our retailers and Abbott Nutrition to ensure adequate supply of approved infant formula remains on West Virginia’s grocery shelves,” said Heidi Staats, Director of DHHR’s Office of Nutrition Services, in a statement.
The state agency will return to exclusively offering Similac formula on March 1. WIC is also allowing larger sized cans of Similac products to be purchased through April 30.
The nationwide baby formula shortage is expected to persist through this spring, according to a December report from Reuters.