Baby formula imported from countries without a free trade agreement with the US is subject to tariffs, which increases the cost of formula for consumers by an average of 27%, according to Blumenauer’s office.
“This legislation will help alleviate this crisis by lowering the price of imported baby formula from safe and trusted partners abroad while our domestic production catches up,” DelBene said in a statement Friday.
This is the latest bill passed by lawmakers aimed at addressing the baby formula shortage.
In May, President Joe Biden signed into law the Baby Formula Act after Congress passed it. The law aimed to ensure that families in need could continue to buy baby formula with WIC benefits during a public health emergency or supply chain issues such as a product recall. WIC refers to the federal assistance program known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
As of July 8, more than 524 million 8 oz. bottles of formula have been imported into the US from nine countries and have started hitting the US market, with more slated to be in stores over the coming weeks and months, according to the FDA.
CNN’s Naomi Thomas and Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report.