Management Crisis in Iran; Baby National IDs Rented for Smuggling Baby Formula

The baby formula crisis in Iran has not only persisted but has been exacerbated by mismanagement. In a recent report, the Young Journalists Club, affiliated with the Islamic Republic's broadcasting service, revealed that national IDs of infants are being rented for smuggling baby formula in Sistan and Baluchestan. The Deputy of Treatment at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences stated that to prevent baby formula smuggling, individuals are required to present the infant's national ID to receive formula. However, some are exploiting this by collecting IDs of infants who do not need formula. Experts and baby formula producers believe that the crisis in supplying baby formula is due to mismanagement, as officials from the Central Bank and the Food and Drug Organization have failed to allocate the necessary foreign currency for importing raw materials in a timely manner, leading to a reduction in production capacity. Evidence supporting this claim includes statements from Hani Tahvilzadeh, the head of the Baby Formula Producers Association, who told the Noor News website that this year they faced issues because foreign currency was not allocated to baby formula producers, and the Food and Drug Organization did not adequately use the allocated currency for sourcing raw materials for baby formula factories. Ultimately, mismanagement has led to a significant baby formula supply crisis in the country. The newspaper Payam-e Ma reported on November 1 that for over a month, the shortage of baby formula in the market has left parents wandering between pharmacies in small and large cities across Iran to secure essential nutrition for their children. Reports and videos shared on social media indicate that cities such as Qom, Mashhad, Khuzestan, Kermanshah, Yazd, and several others are also facing baby formula supply issues, in addition to Tehran. The baby formula crisis has been a recurring news topic in recent months. Following reports of the scarcity of baby formula in Iran, the Food and Drug Organization, under the Ministry of Health, announced that as of October 20, baby formula sales in pharmacies would only be possible with the presentation of the infant's national ID. The next day, this was denied, but reports from recent weeks continue to indicate the ongoing crisis. This situation has now been described by health officials as a new method for baby formula smuggling. A noteworthy aspect of this issue is the prevalence of this type of smuggling and the renting of infants' national IDs in Sistan and Baluchestan, which is directly linked to severe poverty in the region. The current circumstances come amid efforts by government officials, under the orders of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, to encourage society towards 'childbearing' through various laws and incentive policies. Research reports indicate that the budget for the Supreme Council of Islamic Seminaries has increased 'fivefold' compared to baby formula subsidies, while the cost of shared living has risen; a 500 million toman loan for marriages for those born in the 1960s has been introduced. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences has stated that the situation of baby formula supply is 'not normal,' continuing the disorientation of families. The baby formula shortage in Iran has left parents wandering between pharmacies in small and large cities. Baby formula rationing in Iran; the Food and Drug Organization states it is sold only with the infant's national ID. The Food and Drug Organization has denied the baby formula shortage and the sale with national ID requirement.