Regulators have historically inspected baby formula plants at least once a year, but they did not inspect the three biggest manufacturers in 2020.
The Federal Trade Commission is urging consumers to beware of online scammers using the baby formula shortage to take advantage of desperate parents.
But outside experts say the gap in inspections speaks to a blind spot in the government's response effort, which was successful at preventing shortages of drugs and other medical supplies. "It's very challenging for them to get engaged at all in this area because they don't have the background, the knowledge and the experience in it," said Steven Mandernach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, which represents state-level inspectors.
But the plant did have earlier problems, including a 2010 formula recall due to possible contamination with insect parts.