Letter to Frank Pallone, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Diana DeGette, Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee - E&C Republican Leaders: The FDA Commissioner Must Testify on Baby Formula Shortage

Letter

We write to you today to request you immediately issue an invitation to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Califf to testify at the May 25, 2022, oversight hearing you recently announced. Parents across this country are frustrated and worried by the alarming shortage of infant formula. The "out of stock' rates across the U.S. are estimated to be as high as 40 percent and some retailers have begun putting limits on how much formula customers can purchase at one time. Last week, House Republicans called on President Biden and Commissioner Califf to treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves and to do more to help concerned parents.

"While we believe the hearing you announced should take place much sooner, we look forward to hearing from the administration about why more has not been done and how the situation was allowed to get so dire. Given the significance of this issue, it is imperative we hear directly from Commissioner Califf and, if he does not testify, it would send a clear message to parents across the country that the Biden administration and the FDA are not taking this matter seriously enough, especially in light of Secretary Becerra saying he's been aware of the issue since last year. We urge you to ensure Commissioner Califf testifies so we can get much needed answers parents deserve."

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