21 USC 350a-1 - Protecting infants and improving formula supply

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 21, 2025

§ 350a–1.

Protecting infants and improving formula supply

(a)

Definitions

(1)

In general

(2)

Omitted

(b)

Office of Critical Foods

(1)

In general

(2)

Duties

(c)

Omitted

(d)

Report

Not later than one year after December 29, 2022, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that includes—

(1)

the number of premarket submissions for new infant formula the Secretary has received under section 412(d) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350a(d)) each year since 2012;

(2)

how many of such submissions received requests from the Secretary for additional information;

(3)

how long after receiving such submissions the Secretary sent such requests for additional information;

(4)

what additional information the Secretary requested of the persons submitting such submissions; and

(5)

the date each new infant formula described in subparagraph (A) 1

 So in original. There is no subparagraph (A).

was first marketed, if available.

(e)

Infant formula flexibilities

(f)

International harmonization of infant formula requirements

(1)

In general

The Secretary—

(A)

shall participate in meetings with representatives from other countries to discuss methods and approaches to harmonizing regulatory requirements for infant formula, including with respect to inspections, labeling, and nutritional requirements; and

(B)

may enter into arrangements or agreements regarding such requirements with other countries, as appropriate, including arrangements or agreements with a foreign government or agency of a foreign government to recognize the inspection of foreign establishments that manufacture infant formula for export to the United States.

(2)

Study on infant formula

(A)

In general

(B)

Contents of the report

The report developed pursuant to the agreement under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)

assess and evaluate—

(I)

infant formula marketed in the United States;

(II)

any challenges in supply, or market competition with respect to such infant formula; and

(III)

any differences between infant formula marketed in the United States and infant formula marketed in the European Union, including with respect to nutritional content and applicable labeling and other regulatory requirements; and

(ii)

include recommendations, including for infant formula manufacturers, on measures to address supply and market competition in the United States.

(C)

Final report

(g)

Transparency and accountability to support infant formula innovation

(1)

to (4) Omitted

(5)

Guidance

(6)

Omitted

(h)

Response to recall

(1)

Manufacturer submission

(A)

In general

(B)

Contents

A submission under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i)

A plan (including an estimated timeline, as applicable) of actions the manufacturer will take, suited to the individual circumstances of the particular recall, including—

(I)

to identify and address any cause of, and contributing factor in, known or suspected adulteration or known or suspected misbranding; and

(II)

if appropriate, to restore operation of the impacted facilities.

(ii)

In the case that a recall of the manufacturer’s infant formula products, and subsequent actions to respond to such recall, impacts over 10 percent of the production of the infant formula intended for sale in the United States, a plan to backfill the supply of the manufacturer’s infant formula supply if the current domestic supply of such infant formula has fallen, or is expected to fall, below the expected demand for the formula.

(2)

Report to Congress

(A)

In general

(B)

Contents

A report under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i)

Information concerning the current domestic supply of infant formula, including—

(I)

a breakdown of the specific types of formula involved; and

(II)

an estimate of how long current supplies will last.

(ii)

If a submission or submissions under paragraph (1) show that the recall and subsequent actions to respond to the recall impact over 10 percent of the domestic production of infant formula intended for sale in the United States—

(I)

actions to work with the impacted manufacturer or other manufacturers to increase production; and

(II)

specification of—

(aa)

any additional authorities needed regarding production or importation to fill a supply gap; and

(bb)

any supplemental funding necessary to address the shortage.

(3)

Sunset

(i)

Coordination with manufacturer

(1)

In general

(A)

Communication following inspection

Upon completing an inspection of an infant formula manufacturing facility impacted by a recall, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall provide the manufacturer involved a list of any actions necessary to—

(i)

address deficiencies contributing to the potential adulteration or misbranding of product at the facility; and

(ii)

safely restart production at the facility.

(B)

Response to manufacturer

(2)

Inspections

(3)

Annual inspections

(j)

National strategy on infant formula

(1)

In general

(2)

Immediate national strategy

The national strategy under paragraph (1) shall include efforts—

(A)

to increase the resiliency of the infant formula supply chain in the short-term by—

(i)

assessing causes of any supply disruption or shortage of infant formula in existence as of December 29, 2022, and potential causes of future supply disruptions and shortages;

(ii)

assessing and addressing immediate infant formula needs associated with the shortage; and

(iii)

developing a plan to increase infant formula supply, including through increased competition; and

(B)

to ensure the development and updating of education and communication materials for parents and caregivers that cover—

(i)

where and how to find infant formula;

(ii)

comparable infant formulas on the market;

(iii)

what to do if a specialty infant formula is unavailable;

(iv)

safe practices for handling infant formula; and

(v)