WASHINGTON -  Operation Fly Formula is a partnership between the U.S. government and other nations to import infant formula. It’s designed to address a shortage that has left many store shelves bare.  

“We will not rest until every parent has the formula they need for their child,” said United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy at a press conference in late May. 

On Thursday, approximately 548,000 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Nestle formula arrived in Louisville from Switzerland.

The White House says, “The product will be available primarily through a distribution pipeline serving hospitals, home health companies and WIC programs around the U.S.” 

Louisville’s delivery is one of 10 flights scheduled for this week.  

“They are taking credit for flying this formula in, but if they had reacted in February, we wouldn’t be in this situation that we’re in,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green). 

Guthrie, who represents the Bowling Green area, is the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. He says Americans deserve to know more about how this shortage happened. 

In a letter, he’s joined by other Republicans in the House who are asking the FDA to outline when the Biden administration knew there was an issue. 

“We knew there was an issue with the supply chain and formula and then in February they shut down a plant,” Guthrie said. 

The Abbott baby formula factory in Sturgis, Michigan, shut down in February after safety inspections. Abbott is one of the biggest producers in an industry. 

The plant recently brought back production, but on Wednesday Abbott announced it would halt production again because of flooding from storms in the area. 

Abbott says it will re-start production once it gets approval from the FDA.