Federal authorities recognize that Canada faces a shortage of formula for babies with food allergies and certain health conditions.
Health Canada said in an advisory Thursday that the supply of hypoallergenic formulas is not meeting demand in some provinces.
The statement comes amid a widespread shortage of formula south of the border after the closure of a major US manufacturing plant, which also ships hypoallergenic formula to Canada.
According to Health Canada, there are two types of formula for babies with food allergies: those that are heavily hydrolyzed and those that are made from amino acids.
He says the shortage of extensively hydrolyzed formulas is straining the already limited supply of amino acid-based products for babies at risk of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Health Canada says it’s “essential” that these products be reserved for babies who need them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada was looking to ensure its supply chains were “resilient” enough.
“We want to take good care of our infants, and we’re going to make sure we do. We are looking closely at what is being done in the United States, to ensure that there is not too much impact in Canada, but also to see if we need to do similar things to ensure sources of supply for families who need it, ”Mr. Trudeau, who was passing through Sept-Îles on Friday, told reporters.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden invoked a defense production law requiring suppliers to formula makers to fulfill orders from those companies before other customers, in a bid to eliminate bottlenecks in the production.
Health Canada recommended on May 9 that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency temporarily suspend bilingual labeling and nutritional composition requirements to allow imports of infant formula from Europe to reduce Canada’s dependence on US suppliers.
The move would allow nine previously unavailable products from the UK, Ireland and Germany to reach the Canadian market, along with 11 other products from the United States.
Health Canada says products must meet “quality and manufacturing standards similar to those in Canada.” The agency’s guidelines are due to expire on June 30.
With information from Stéphane Blais, in Sept-Îles, and the Associated Press