High demand, low supply making it difficult for parents to find infant formula

The fallout continues from a recall over a deadly bacteria potentially linked to infant formula.

Abbott Labratories recalled Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered infant formula in February. Now, high demand and low supply in the market are making it difficult to find formula in stores. Even if shoppers find it, some retailers are limiting how much a person can buy.

Retail data tracker, Datasembly, estimates nearly 30 percent of baby formula products are now sold out across the U.S.

At the Walgreens in Raleigh's Village District, 5 On Your Side found many types of formula were sold out. Both Walgreens and CVS sent statements saying they are limiting purchases to three formula products at a time.

"Similar to other retailers, we put into effect purchase limits of three per transaction on all infant and toddler formula to help improve inventory. We continue to work diligently with our supplier partners to best meet customer demands," Walgreens said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, CVS said in a statement the company has put "three baby formula products per purchase in our stores and online. We’re continuing to work with our baby formula vendors to address this issue and we regret any inconvenience this causes our customers."

Patience Mushipe-Mukelabai runs Welcome Baby in Durham, which distributes free formula. She said the organization currently does not have enough for families in need, in part, because they had to dump out some donated formula that was on the recall list.

"It felt so bad because we wanted to make sure people were safe, so we weren’t just throwing it out we had to dump it out and throw it into the trash," Mushipe-Mukelabai said.

If you can’t find formula, Mushipe-Mukelabai said do not try to extend it by watering it down.

"So your child does not lose the nutrients that they need," she said.

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Health experts say there are other options for parents in search of formula including checking with a pediatrician for help ordering formula or to explore other options, like switching to solid foods at six months of age, reaching out to a milk bank and North Carolina's Women, Infant and Chilren's program, which can help secure formula for local offices.

The state Department of Health and Human Services says they're aware of the formula shortage families are facing and are working to help support them.

"For formula brands impacted by recalls, the State WIC office is providing support to local WIC agencies in securing specialized formula for WIC participants by placing orders directly with the manufacturer for delivery to the local WIC office," DHHS said in a statement. "Local WIC agency staff support participants in adjusting the food prescription in consultation with the health care provider as needed to align with the area availability or placing orders with the state office. Community organizations, reputable online retailers, distributors and manufacturers are also sources for finding formula."