USA Implements Location Tracking and Special Locks to Prevent Formula Theft

Infant Formula Tops Theft List Alongside Other Food and Beverages
Transport Company Official: "Will Apply Standards Similar to Pharmaceuticals and Electronics"

On the 11th (local time), the infant formula shelves at the Kroger supermarket in Decatur, Georgia, USA, were empty. In the United States, the supply shortage of infant formula is worsening due to reduced production caused by COVID-19 and the recall of defective products by the formula company Abbott, leading to shortages in various places.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Lee Gyehwa, Intern Reporter] As the United States faces the worst formula milk shortage in history, location tracking and special locking devices for infant formula are being implemented one after another.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 29th (local time), to prevent theft that may occur amid the ongoing formula shortage for several months, location tracking and special locking devices are being applied to infant formula.

Logistics security experts stated that various security measures are being implemented to protect cargo from potential theft amid efforts to quickly supply infant formula to stores across the United States.

According to WSJ, infant formula was the number one stolen item from 2010 to 2020. After the financial crisis from 2007 to 2009, when household incomes sharply declined and demand for daily necessities was high, formula theft became a serious problem, with food and beverages overtaking electronics as the most popular targets for thieves.

The recent shortage of infant formula across the United States has been caused by global supply chain disruptions, reduced production due to COVID-19, and product recalls by formula companies. Since there is an immediate shortage of breast milk or formula to feed babies, those involved judge the risk of theft to be high. Accordingly, physical security measures such as special locking devices on trailers and tracking systems embedded in transportation have been strengthened.

Additionally, a transportation company official explained that the same level of security applied to pharmaceuticals, electronics, and other high-theft-risk shipments will be applied.

Meanwhile, there are also positive expectations that formula supply will soon increase. WSJ forecasted that due to logistics companies' efforts to increase production at each factory, the volume transported to U.S. distribution channels will begin to increase within the next few weeks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.