Year-long infant formula shortages in US to continue until spring, says manufacturer

White House intervened after panicked parents emptied supermarket aisles as leading manufacturer recalled products 

Supplies are yet to return to normal since the peak of the crisis in May and June, despite the US making progress in replenishing stocks.

The near year-long infant formula shortage in the US that prompted the intervention of the White House is likely to "persist" until spring, according to Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Enfamil, the biggest brand in the American market.

Panicked parents had earlier this year emptied the baby formula aisles at supermarkets after former top US manufacturer Abbott Laboratories in February recalled dozens of types of its Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas.