The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is warning families and caregivers not to purchase Mother’s Touch Formula or give it to infants under their care.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, Mother’s Touch Formula has at least two main problems. It doesn’t meet the nutrient needs for infant formula and it hasn’t been sufficiently tested for harmful bacteria.
The FDA says this formula has the potential to cause nutrient deficiencies and toxicity in infants.
Mother’s Touch Formula isn’t sold in North Carolina in stores, but a lot of people have been shopping online for baby formula during the well-publicized baby formula shortage.
The DCDHHS warning is blunt: Don’t buy it and those who’ve already purchased Mother’s Touch Formula should stop using it, toss it in the garbage and contact their health care provider if they’ve used this product.
To report a complaint or adverse events like illness or serious allergic reaction, families and caregivers can do one of the following:
- Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator
- Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form
- Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to the FDA
In recent months, the supply of infant formula has improved in North Carolina, however, some products are still difficult to find,
Those with infants in the state can get up-to-date guidance and information at www.ncdhhs.gov/formula.
Families that are participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have access to additional formula options as well.
Also, if families in the WIC program have difficulty finding powdered formula, they can contact their local WIC agency for help in changing their prescription to concentrate or ready-to-feed formula.
Families interested in breastfeeding or in increasing breastfeeding can also find information about doing so at www.ncdhhs.gov/formula.
Those enrolled in Medicaid can access resources – including breast pumps – through the NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans.
