LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS flight from Switzerland transporting 44,000 pounds of Nestlé specialty infant formula successfully landed in Louisville Thursday afternoon.
As directed by the White House, more shipments arrived as part of "Operation Fly Formula," this time at UPS Worldport. The cases of baby formula are set to be sent by truck to Indianapolis, which will operate as a distribution point to get supply to healthcare providers in need across the region.
Specifically, the White House said the flight will include Nestlé Health Science Alfamino® and Alfamino® Junior specialty formula, "equivalent of approximately 548,000 8-ounce bottles."
"President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible," the White House said.
The specialty formula will be available through a distribution pipeline serving hospitals, home health companies and WIC programs across the country.
After the shipment arrived, Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman confirmed Kentucky mothers will benefit from the new supply but didn't specify how much of it will go to hospitals and doctor's offices in the state.
"This is a very important moment for Kentucky families," she said.
Meanwhile, each of Louisville's three major hospitals said as of this week, they haven't been made aware of any direct supply coming their way, however they didn't rule it out completely.
UofL NICU Dietitian Laura Serke told WHAS11 they've dealt with shortages of certain specialty formulas, forcing them to seek alternatives at times. She sees the benefits in these shipments, while also noting the bigger supply chain issue still may take a couple months to fully recover.
"We have had trouble getting it more recently, so it is good that there will be more that will be available for hospitals like us when we need it," Serke said.
This is the seventh mission of Biden's "Operation Fly Formula." The first shipment landed in Indiana on May 22.
The White House said additional deliveries of Nestlé formula will be announced in the coming days. Nestlé plans to export approximately 42 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents into the U.S. market, officials said.
Last week, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency over the formula shortage, activating the state's price gouging laws.
“By implementing our price gouging laws, we can make sure that families are not being charged more than they should to obtain a critical supply of formula to feed their baby,” Beshear said.
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