Parents Turn to Facebook for Baby Formula Amid Rising Prices

Parents in Canada are increasingly using social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to source baby formula as prices continue to rise dramatically. The surge in demand and the scarcity of affordable options have led many to seek assistance from strangers online, highlighting the growing financial strains faced by families.

In June, Tonmoy Chakraborty found himself with 18 bottles of Enfamil baby formula after discovering that his daughter did not like the brand. He posted in a Facebook group called Baby Formula Share Toronto, offering the bottles for $135. To his surprise, he received an overwhelming response. “I got 15 to 20 responses in a matter of an hour,” Chakraborty said in a Zoom interview. “For some, it might be forty or fifty percent of their weekly paycheck — that’s not a position any parent should be in.”

Many Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling baby formula have emerged across Canada. Maryrose Inserto, who manages the Toronto Moms & Babies Free Stuff group, noted that requests for baby formula are frequent, often occurring almost every other day. She emphasized the necessity of specialized formula for her child, stating, “That’s not something we can negotiate and go for a cheaper brand.”

Impact of Rising Prices and Supply Challenges

According to Statistics Canada, the price of baby formula has nearly doubled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The average cost for a 900-gram can of baby formula is now $50.27, up from $29.36 in 2020. Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, pointed out that baby formula has seen the most significant price increase in Canada over the past five years, rising by 68 percent. This sharp increase is largely attributed to food safety issues at production facilities owned by major companies like Abbott and Nestlé, which have led to reduced production and subsequent supply shortages in Canada.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Canada opened its first baby formula facility in Kingston, Ontario, in March 2024, operated by Canada Royal Milk, a company based in China. Charlebois highlighted the country’s reliance on imports, stating, “We’re still heavily reliant on imports, so we’re quite vulnerable.” Although Health Canada has permitted the temporary importation of products from Europe to alleviate supply pressures, prices remain high, exacerbated by unfavorable exchange rates for imported goods.

Food Banks Struggle to Meet Demand

Food banks across Canada report a growing struggle to provide baby formula to families in need. Natasha Bowes from North York Harvest Food Bank noted, “We never ever get formula donated. It is one of the top items that families seek at the food bank.” The situation has become dire, with over 53 percent of families reportedly skipping meals to afford essential items, including baby formula.

The increasing demand extends beyond local communities, as food banks serve asylum seekers and refugees who also rely on these essential supplies. Trevor Nicolle, a volunteer at St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank in Pickering, Ontario, emphasized the challenges of rationing resources: “We have to support our community, but we also have to help new Canadians coming to Canada.”

Health Canada stated it is actively working with manufacturers to stabilize the supply of infant formulas available in the Canadian market. The agency has confirmed that over 70 products are currently eligible for temporary importation, with the list being updated regularly to ensure that supply meets demand.

As parents turn to social media to navigate this challenging landscape, the reliance on community support underscores the pressing need for sustainable solutions to ensure that every family has access to essential baby formula.