On Friday, Mayor Eric Garcetti signed a Declaration of Local Emergency responding to the baby formula shortage in Los Angeles, California.
The Mayor was joined in signing the Declaration by City Attorney Mike Feuer, General Manager of the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD) Abigail Marquez, and General Manager of the Emergency Management Department (EMD) Carol Parks.
“As we see this shortage unfolding across the country, now is the time to prepare and take proactive steps to protect our families and most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This Declaration should not be viewed as a cause for concern – it should instill confidence that we are thinking ahead, and taking the proper steps to ensure that our City is ready to protect Angelenos.”
While Los Angeles is not experiencing the same shortages as other places across the country, Mayor Garcetti proactively worked with City leaders to ensure the City is ready to respond to potential supply chain issues and to prevent and stop predatory business practices arising out of any potential shortages.
The Declaration of Local Emergency signed today helps protect the City and low-income families against any potential supply chain issues and predatory business practices by triggering the City’s Anti-Price Gouging Ordinance. The Ordinance will enable the City Attorney to take action against illegal price increases, scamming, or other predatory financial behavior and directs EMD and CIFD to support the coordination of any necessary Citywide planning and response efforts to ensure equitable distribution of infant formula in collaboration with the County and other partners.
City Attorney Mike Feuer said that his “office will investigate brick and mortar stores, online retailers and social marketplaces to stop baby formula from being sold at unduly high prices – and to hold sellers accountable.”
They are encouraging people to report unusually high prices for baby formula.
“I know what moms are feeling right now – worried that, for reasons outside of their control, they may not be able to feed their babies,” said Council President Nury Martinez.
“The baby formula shortage is causing deep anxiety for so many mothers, especially low-income working mothers of color who are constantly disproportionately impacted by a crisis,” said Abigail R. Marquez, General Manager of Community Investment for Families Department. “The Community Investment for Families Department, through its network of FamilySource Centers, stands ready to assist families and will serve as information and referral hubs to support mothers in need of baby formula.”
Carol Parks, the General Manager of the Emergency Management Department, said that they are actively working to support all local initiatives being put in place by our City and County partners to relieve anxiety and inaccessibility to baby formula for Angeleno families.
