In early 2022, parents across the U.S. walked into grocery stores and found empty formula shelves. For most families, it was stressful. For parents of newborns or medically fragile infants, it was a genuine emergency.
The Similac shortage didn’t appear out of nowhere. It had a specific cause, a chain of events that followed, and a recovery that’s still not fully complete — especially for specialty formulas. This article breaks down what actually happened, where things stand in 2025–2026, what the ongoing legal issues mean, and what parents can do if their usual formula is still hard to find.
What Started the Similac Shortage
On February 17, 2022, Abbott Nutrition — the largest infant formula manufacturer in the United States — voluntarily recalled several powder formula products. The recall covered Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powder formulas made at its Sturgis, Michigan plant.
The concern was potential contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella. Affected products had lot codes starting with 22 through 37, containing the letter combinations K8, SH, or Z2, and expiration dates of April 1, 2022 or later. Parents were directed to the official recall site, similacrecall.com, to check their products.
Importantly, Abbott’s own testing of products that had already shipped did not confirm the presence of pathogens. The recall was issued as a precaution. But the precaution came with a major consequence: closing the Sturgis plant removed a significant portion of the U.S. formula supply almost overnight.
This happened on top of supply chain problems that already existed. COVID-19 had disrupted manufacturing and logistics across the country since 2020. Labor shortages had slowed production at multiple facilities. The formula market was already under strain when the Abbott recall hit.
How the U.S. Government Responded
By May 2022, the White House had announced emergency measures. These included supporting increased production at other plants, boosting formula imports, and relaxing WIC rules so families could buy non-contract brands when Similac wasn’t available.
The FDA launched what it called “Operation Fly Formula,” which streamlined import procedures to get overseas brands onto U.S. shelves faster. The goal was to fill the gap left by the Sturgis plant closure while Abbott worked to get production back online.
The fundamental problem, though, was market concentration. The U.S. formula market operated like a three-lane highway where most traffic ran in one lane. When that lane closed, the other lanes couldn’t absorb the volume fast enough. Imports helped, but opening new supply routes takes time — time that parents with newborns didn’t have.
WIC participants were hit especially hard because their benefits had been tied to Abbott contracts. Temporary rule changes helped, but navigating substitute products while managing an infant’s nutrition needs added real stress to an already difficult situation.
Is the Similac Shortage Over?
The short answer: mostly, but not entirely.
National out-of-stock rates for infant formula peaked at over 70% during the worst of the 2022 crisis. As of early 2026, that figure has dropped to approximately 11%. Standard Similac cow’s-milk-based formulas are broadly available in most markets. If you’re looking for regular Similac at a major retailer, you’ll likely find it.
Specialty formulas are a different story. Products like Similac Alimentum — an extensively hydrolyzed formula for infants with cow’s milk protein allergies — and amino acid-based products like EleCare still show out-of-stock rates between 18% and 22%. Regional shortages for these products happen intermittently and without much warning.
Analysts expect meaningful stabilization across the formula market by late 2026. But some specialty formulas may remain periodically limited into 2027. If your infant depends on Alimentum or EleCare specifically, it’s worth having a backup plan and staying in contact with your pediatrician about alternatives.
Safety Concerns and the NEC Lawsuits
Parents understandably want to know: is Similac safe to use right now?
The 2022 recall was tied to contamination concerns at one specific plant. Most Similac products currently on store shelves are not under any active recall. If you want to verify a specific product, you can check lot numbers on similacrecall.com or the FDA’s recall database.
There is a separate and ongoing legal issue that’s worth understanding. Hundreds of families have filed lawsuits against Abbott alleging that cow’s-milk-based Similac increased the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature and low-birth-weight infants. The lawsuits claim Abbott did not adequately warn about this risk for high-risk newborns.
In April 2026, a Chicago jury issued a $53 million verdict in favor of four families in NEC-related cases. Hundreds of similar cases remain pending in multidistrict litigation.
It’s important to be precise here. These lawsuits focus on premature and low-birth-weight infants — a population with specific vulnerabilities. They do not suggest that standard Similac formulas pose a general safety risk to healthy, full-term infants. If you have a premature baby or a medically fragile newborn, talk to your neonatologist or pediatrician about formula choices and any associated risks.
What Parents Can Do If Their Formula Is Hard to Find
If you’re dealing with empty shelves — especially for specialty formulas — here are practical steps that work.
Check less obvious stores
Big-box retailers often sell out first. Smaller pharmacies, independent grocery stores, and online pharmacy sites sometimes have stock when larger chains don’t. It’s worth calling ahead before making the trip.
Contact your pediatrician
If your usual formula is unavailable, your child’s doctor is the best first call. Pediatricians often have formula samples and can recommend a safe alternative. For specialty formulas, a physician’s recommendation can also be useful when navigating insurance or WIC coverage for a substitute product.
Use your WIC substitution options
WIC agencies in many states created temporary substitution lists during the shortage, and some of those accommodations remain in place. If you’re on WIC and can’t find your formula, contact your local WIC office. In some states, you can text a photo of a formula’s front label and UPC to a state WIC number to confirm whether it’s covered under your benefits.
Don’t stretch what you have
If supply is tight, the temptation to dilute formula is understandable. Don’t do it. Diluting formula reduces its nutritional value and can be dangerous for infants. Health agencies and pediatric organizations are consistent on this point.
Avoid homemade formula recipes
Online formulas for homemade infant formula have circulated since the 2022 shortage. They are not safe. The nutritional balance in commercially produced formula is precise, and homemade versions cannot reliably replicate it.
Plant-based milks are not a substitute
Almond milk, oat milk, and similar products do not meet infant nutritional needs. They should not be used as a primary food source for infants.
Emergency option for older babies only
Some pediatricians note that for infants older than six months who normally use standard formula, whole cow’s milk can serve as a short-term stopgap if formula is genuinely unavailable for a few days. This should only happen with pediatric guidance, should include iron-rich foods or supplements, and is not appropriate for infants under six months or those who need specialty formulas for allergies or medical conditions.
Switching brands is usually fine for healthy infants
If your healthy, full-term infant is on a standard cow’s-milk formula, switching to another iron-fortified brand — including store brands — is generally safe. Store-brand formulas that meet FDA standards are nutritionally equivalent to name-brand products. Your pediatrician can confirm the right choice for your child’s specific needs.
How to Check If Your Similac Is Part of a Recall
If you have an older can and want to verify it, the process is straightforward. Look at the lot code on the bottom of the can. If it starts with numbers 22 through 37 and contains K8, SH, or Z2, check it against the official recall information at similacrecall.com. Recalled products should not be used. You can return them for a refund and contact Abbott directly for assistance.
For current recall information, rely on the FDA’s website, the CDC, your state health department, or Abbott’s official pages — not social media posts, which often recirculate old or inaccurate information.
The Bigger Picture
The Similac shortage exposed a real weakness in how the U.S. formula supply is structured. When a single manufacturer runs into problems, the effects ripple out fast and hit the most vulnerable families hardest. Government response improved access over time, but the recovery period measured in months, not weeks.
For families navigating this now — especially those looking for specialty formulas — the situation is better than it was, but not fully resolved. Planning ahead, staying in contact with your pediatrician, and knowing your WIC options are still practical and necessary steps.
Business analysts and supply chain experts who cover consumer goods have noted that the formula crisis is one of the clearest recent examples of what happens when an essential product relies on too few production points. Resources like Business Sling track how supply disruptions affect markets and what recovery actually looks like in practice.
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