Ontario factory sends baby formula to China while Canadian families suffer shortages

The factory, Canada Royal Milk, uses Canadian dairy to make the formula, and was given $225 million in taxpayer dollars. They are owned by Chinese company Feihe International, according to True North.

"Feihe International is the largest domestic producer of formula for infants and young children in the People's Republic of China, and the company recently celebrated its 56th year in business," the plant's website says.

"Canada Royal Milk will manufacture formula for infants and young children using both cow dairy and goat dairy, building local supply chains to benefit the Canadian economy. Most of our production will be for export, but we intend to develop nutritional products for the North American market as well."

The baby formula shortages in Canada and the US have led to statements from Health Canada advising parents that new policy is being put into place to facilitate the importation of formula.

"In certain provinces, the supply of these products is not meeting demand," Health Canada said. "The Department has published an interim policy to recommend enforcement discretion to facilitate the importation of equivalent and safe infant formulas that have been approved by a foreign regulatory authority or are allowed to be sold in foreign jurisdictions that have high quality and manufacturing standards similar to Canada."

Canada Royal Milk says that it is going through the process of getting its product on Canadian shelves.

"(Canada Royal Milk) will be able to sell products domestically once the regulatory process is complete and approvals granted," said Human Resource Manager Carey Bidtnes, according to TNC. "This has delayed timelines for entry into the domestic and North American markets."