Drafter
Clerk 05/31/2022
Title
A MOTION requesting the executive explore procuring infant formula for distribution to qualifying King County residents, disseminate guidance to the public on how to navigate the infant formula shortage and provide a briefing to the council.
Body
WHEREAS, infant formula can be an important source of nutrition for infants and children, and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in supply chain fluctuations with surges and drops in demand and in supply, and
WHEREAS, in February 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled three brands of powdered baby formulas due to potential bacterial infections, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. inflation rate was at 8.3 percent, which is close to the 40-year high, in April 2022, and
WHEREAS, nationwide 43 percent of infant formula is out of stock due to the compounding challenges of supply chain issues, product recalls and historic inflation, and
WHEREAS, the shortage is particularly acute for shoppers in Washington state with 45 percent of formula being out of stock, and
WHEREAS, some retailers are limiting purchases allowed by customers nationwide in response to the infant formula supply shortage, and
WHEREAS, local organizations, like Eastside Baby Corner, are seeing a historic influx in caretakers requesting formula;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council requests that the executive explore the county’s ability to procure infant formula, including, but not limited to, by making bulk purchases, receiving assistance through federal and state government partnerships, and any other means necessary, for distribution to King County residents challenged by the infant formula shortage. The executive is requested to develop the legally sufficient, qualifying criteria for a resident to receive such infant formula.
B. The council also requests that the executive work with public health - Seattle & King County to develop guidance for the public on ways to navigate the current infant formula shortage and disseminate such guidance using existing communications channels, including press releases, county websites and social media platforms.
C. The executive is requested to explore, to the maximum extent possible, the use of existing community partnerships, including, but not limited to, local food banks, WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby Corner and other local jurisdictions to distribute the infant formula, as well as using such community partnerships and other local jurisdictions to disseminate the guidance developed under section B of this motion.
D. By no later than August 1, 2022, the executive should provide a briefing to the law, justice, health and human services committee, or its successor, on the status of efforts to purchase and distribute infant formula to qualifying King County residents and
on the status of disseminating guidance to the public on how to navigate the infant formula shortage.