European manufacturers are stepping in to boost baby food supply amid US shortages

Danone has doubled shipments of its Neocate formula for infants allergic to cow’s milk to the United States, while enfamil maker Reckitt is also working to increase shipments amid a nationwide shortage, company executives say.

Op maker Abbott Laboratories recalled dozens of types of its Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formulas in February, sparking one of the most pressing food shortages in recent history for US families.

Reckitt said it is working “extremely closely” with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to increase supply, including accelerating approval of some products made at a facility in Mexico.

The British company, which supplies about half of the US baby formula market, said it is also working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the availability of formulas under a program helping low-income families.

Danone — the world’s second largest baby formula maker after Nestle, but a relatively small player in the United States with less than 5 percent market share — is expanding its offering of Neocate more broadly.

“Abbott’s recall affected 38 markets – not just the US,” said Magdalena Broseta of Danone.

“Our facility in Europe serves multiple markets.”