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SYDNEY, N.S. — With a three-month-old, a five-year-old and a seven-year-old, Devon McIsaac of Glace Bay is well versed in the recent spike in baby formula prices.
McIsaac said the average person spends $60 per container of formula that lasts five or six days and $10 more for more expensive ones that other mothers must buy due to child allergies, intolerances or other gastric conditions. She recalled when her other children were babies there were cheaper alternatives as low as $19.99 a carton if people wanted to go with a more reasonable option.“People are looking essentially at a second mortgage just to buy formula, which is unbelievable. It’s not a choice. You have to buy it.”And she said when up to the age of three months, it’s $20 more a carton as it’s advised to use premixed.
“By February, the price had gone from $34.99 to $56.99, a $22 jump in four months. I still can't understand how they were able to raise the price so high,” she said. “Went from $34 a can to $62 a can. Two cans a week at least. Unfortunately, our baby bonus doesn’t even come close to cover formula, let alone diapers and wipes for two babies. It’s disgusting,” she said.She’d been breastfeeding but because the child was losing weight, they had to supplement with formula.The baby can’t break down protein so special formula is needed.
“When families have to buy formula, it’s not a choice – it’s a necessity. Both levels of government need to work together to ensure families can afford to feed their babies.” Lesley Frank, Canada research chair in food, health and social justice at Acadia University: “I really think government needs to ensure that families are economically secure." CONTRIBUTEDLesley Frank, the Canada research chair in food, health and social justice at Acadia University, has been looking into infant food security for 16 years.During the COVID-19 pandemic, formula was one of the things caught up in supply chain disruptions, causing shortages as well as spikes in recent years.
On its website, the company said it is anticipated the product will be available for retail distribution across the country this summer. One way would be to enhance the Canada Child Benefit to ensure costs in those early years are covered.
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