While food experts reported a shortage of baby formula in the United States, some families in the Waterloo area also say they have faced difficulties finding what they need.

According to Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agricultural Food Analysis Laboratory at Dalhousie University, many products have been recalled in addition to supply chain issues in the United States.

"People are actually encouraged to contact manufacturers directly," Charlebois said. "There are products that are not reaching stores at the moment."

The shortage comes after Abbott, the milk manufacturer, closed one of its factories and many brands stopped due to potential contamination that may have contributed to infant deaths.

Charlebois said Canadians have not seen the same kind of shortage as Americans, but they said known items will not be available.

Charlebois said, "If you are looking for baby formula, you might find some of it, but it may not be the brand you are used to."

Danica Fry, a mother in Waterloo, said she stopped seeing the brand she used in February. "It was very concerning."

Fry added, "I think I might not be able to feed my son, I spent hours one night driving around the city trying to find this type."

SafelyFed Canada is calling for improved infant feeding policies and said the group is not seeing a shortage, but supply chain disruptions could delay local delivery.

Michelle Branco from SafelyFed Canada said, "Parents should know that they can use any brand as long as it is labeled 'baby formula' and any product labeled for use from zero months (birth) to 12 months can be used."

Fry said she was forced to switch brands but it took some time for her child to get used to the change.

The organization stated that the disappearance of some types does not necessarily mean a complete cutoff, but there are alternative products, and if you find a problem, you should contact specialists and ask for help.