Vendors cannot sell baby formula at “unreasonably excessive prices” for the next 90 days under an executive order Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed Thursday to address shortages affecting Wisconsinites and people across the nation.
Evers’ order comes just over a week after President Joe Biden invoked a Korean War-era law to increase formula production and deploy Department of Defense planes to hasten baby formula shipments into the United States from other countries. Evers’ 90-day executive order comes in response to shortages that have led some Wisconsinites to travel across state lines to find formula.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021.
Under Evers’ executive order, sellers cannot label baby formula at prices more than 15% above the highest price they sold the product for in the 60 days before Evers signed the measure. Those found in violation of the order can receive anywhere from a warning to a $10,000 fine.
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“As families continue to feel the squeeze of rising costs and folks face difficulty getting supplies and resources quickly, this order makes it clear that retailers looking to take advantage of vulnerable families during this formula shortage will not be tolerated,” Evers said in a statement.
As people struggle with shortages, they shouldn’t water down formula to make it last longer or make it themselves from recipes found online, said Morgan Finke, spokesperson for Public Health Madison and Dane County.
The state Department of Health Services also recommends people avoid giving cow’s milk, goat’s milk or plant-based milk to babies younger than 1 year old. The department also suggests people check smaller stores and drug stores for the product, though many smaller Madison pharmacies and grocers say they don’t carry formula at all.
The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection also recommends people search online for potential scams before buying formula from online retailers they’re unfamiliar with.
The baby formula shortage and its impact on retailers dates back to when Abbott Nutrition, the nation’s largest manufacturer of the product, closed its Michigan plant amid a recall citing contamination concerns a few months ago.
Top 10 Wisconsin political stories of 2021 (based on what you, the readers, read)
2021 was another big year in Wisconsin politics. Sen. Ron Johnson said some things. Voters elected a new state superintendent. Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans clashed over mask mandates. Michael Gableman threatened to jail the mayors of Madison and Green Bay. Here are 10 political stories you, the readers, checked out in droves.
Since the start of the outbreak, Gov. Tony Evers has issued multiple public health emergencies and a series of related orders.
Sen. Ron slammed the impeachment over the weekend as “vindictive and divisive,” and possibly a “diversionary operation” by Democrats to distract from security lapses at the U.S. Capitol.
"I wouldn’t run if I don’t think I could win," said Johnson, who is undecided on a re-election bid.
The board had previously not required masks in schools after some in the public voiced opposition.
With a new order announced, Republicans may be forced to start the process all over again to vote down the governor's emergency order and accompanying mask mandate, but the most likely outcome appears to be an eventual court decision.
Fort McCoy officials acknowledge there were initial problems with food supply, but that and other issues are being addressed.
The idea is in its infancy and all options, including declining to pursue anything, are on the table.
Gableman has asked the court, which plans to take up the matter on Dec. 22, to compel the two mayors to meet with him.
Deborah Kerr said she has also voted for Republicans and tells GOP audiences on the campaign trail for the officially nonpartisan race that she is a "pragmatic Democrat."
Limbaugh died Wednesday at 70.
