Tesco, Sainsbury's, Boots aisle hit by shortage and shoppers left 'desperate'

Parents are desperate after a nationwide shortage of baby formula brand hit supermarkets. Nestle's SMA Soya Infant Formula is currently out of stock on major supermarket websites, including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado, at the time of writing (Friday April 19).

"Does anyone know of any chemists with SMA soya in stock for my son’s prescription?" one shopper asked. "Apparently there's a shortage of his milk, I was waiting for it to be delivered to boots today and it hasn’t turned up."

Another added: "Does anyone know anywhere that has SMA Soya formula in stock please? Been struggling to find it recently and we are running low?" And another said: "My baby is mostly formula fed and I’ve been trying all week to get some. I'm desperate!"

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Nestle said: "We are experiencing supply issues with SMA Soya Infant Formula. We are doing everything that we can to restore supply and exploring solutions to enable us to continue production in a timely manner. Families choose, or are prescribed, SMA Soya Infant Formula for a variety of reasons.

"Parents should contact their healthcare professional for advice on feeding options." Sainsbury's told one shopper: "Hi, I'm sorry you've been unable to buy SMA soya formula. Unfortunately we've been having a supply issue with this product and it is not currently available in any of our stores. Thanks."

Another said: "@BootsHelp hi can you confirm any stores closest to Colchester that has the SMA soya formula in stock please? I’m desperate! If @sainsburys or @asda could also let me know, I’d be very grateful." Soya Infant Formula can be used as the sole source of nutrition for formula-fed babies in the early months and can be mixed with foods once weaning has begun and your baby gets older. It is suitable for milk protein intolerance, lactose and sucrose intolerance, galactosaemia and galactokinase deficiency.