California expands baby formula options for families with WIC benefits

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- California is expanding the number of baby formula options available to families who are provided Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program benefits.

State health officials announced the expansion in response to a nationwide shortage that's affected millions of families over the last several weeks.

RELATED: FDA chief under fire for slow response to baby formula issue

The crisis follows the closure of the nation's largest domestic manufacturing plant in Michigan in February due to safety issues.

The state added eight additional baby formula powders and sizes that the WIC program will cover, including:

California officials said the additional formulas will be removed from the program once the shortage is resolved.

This week, two planes carrying thousands of pounds of formula arrived in the U.S. from Europe as part of the Biden administration's "Operation Fly Formula."

VIDEO: Father puts 1,000 miles on his car to find specialty formula for premature infant daughter

The first batch of imported baby formula under "Operation Fly Formula" arrived in the United States on Sunday as the Biden administration tries to alleviate the nationwide baby formula shortage.

VIDEO: California mom scammed over medical grade formula for 11-year-old with rare disease

Amid a nationwide baby formula shortage, one Santa Rosa mom was so desperate to find one, she turned to help online where she fell victim to a scam.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.