A Cumbrian baby formula manufacturer has come to the rescue of stricken families in America.
Kendal Nutricare, based in Kendal, makes Kendamil branded baby formula and will have its product fast-tracked to the USA, which is experiencing a baby formula crisis.
There have been widespread shortages of baby formula since February due to potential contamination issues at a major manufacturing plant.
Abbott Laboratories was forced to shut its Michigan site and recall a number of its powdered formula products after four babies who had been given formula developed bacterial infections.
It has led to empty shelves across the country.
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, an assurance was given by ministers that help would be given to Kendal Nutricare to export Kendamil to the US.
Officials from the USA have confirmed to Kendal Nutricare that they are going to fast-track exporting Kendamil to the USA, and in a recent announcement by President Biden, the UK was included in the list of countries from which baby formulae would be supplied, and military planes were to be utilised to import formula to the US from abroad.
Ross McMahon, CEO of Kendal Nutricare said: “The size of the USA market opportunity will justify doubling our capacity to produce more Kendamil, increasing British dairy exports from Cumbria, creating more local jobs and providing long term security for British dairy farmers.”
John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Food and Drink, added: “This is great news for Cumbria and the wider UK, to see a Cumbrian based manufacturer fast tracked to export vital baby formulae to the US in the face of the current crisis over there.
“I am delighted that ministers in Downing Street have helped to make this happen, as well as the team co-ordination by DIT North West and DIT USA and we now need to ensure that the opportunity to export continues well after the crisis is over.”
