Parents Turn to Facebook Groups Amid Baby Formula Crisis

Parents across Canada are increasingly turning to social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to source baby formula amid rising prices and persistent shortages. This trend has been highlighted by stories such as that of Tonmoy Chakraborty, who found himself with 18 bottles of Enfamil baby formula after discovering that his daughter did not like the brand. In June, he posted in a Facebook group, Baby Formula Share Toronto, offering his surplus for $135. The response was overwhelming, with many parents expressing desperation for affordable options.

In a recent interview, Chakraborty reflected on the flood of responses he received, noting, “I got 15 to 20 responses in a matter of an hour.” He emphasized that for some families, the cost of baby formula can represent a significant percentage of their weekly income. “That’s not a position any parent should be in,” he added, highlighting the tough choices many are forced to make between essentials like electricity bills and baby formula.

Rising Prices and Increased Demand

The price of baby formula has nearly doubled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Statistics Canada, the average cost of baby formula now stands at $50.27 for 900 grams, a sharp increase from $29.36 in 2020. Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, reported that baby formula has experienced the highest price increase among consumer products in Canada, soaring by 68 percent over the past five years.

Food safety issues at production facilities operated by Abbott and Nestlé in the United States have exacerbated the supply problem in Canada. In response, Canada opened its first baby formula manufacturing facility in Kingston, Ontario, named Canada Royal Milk, which is a China-based company. Charlebois noted that Canada remains heavily reliant on imported formula, making the country vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.

In an effort to alleviate the situation, Health Canada has permitted the importation of European baby formula, yet prices remain high. “Everything imported from the U.S. is costing more,” Charlebois explained, adding that the fluctuating dollar has further complicated the situation.

Food Banks Struggle to Meet Demand

Food banks are also feeling the impact of the formula crisis, reporting a significant increase in demand from families seeking essential items. Natasha Bowes from North York Harvest Food Bank stated, “We never ever get formula donated. It is one of the top items that families seek at the food bank.” She further revealed that over 53 percent of families are skipping meals to afford necessary items for their children, including baby formula.

The challenges faced by food banks are compounded by their need to ration supplies amid growing demand. Trevor Nicolle, a volunteer with St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank in Pickering, Ontario, shared, “We’re not only dealing with folks in our community; we’re also helping asylum seekers and refugees.” This highlights the extensive reach of the crisis as more families turn to food banks for assistance.

In a statement, Health Canada affirmed its commitment to ensuring a stable supply of infant formulas in the country. The agency indicated that it “continues to work closely with manufacturers” to address market disruptions and noted that more than 70 products are currently eligible for temporary importation to help strengthen supply.

As parents navigate these challenging times, the reliance on social media for sourcing baby formula underscores the urgent need for solutions to ensure that families can access affordable nutrition for their infants.