Democratic lawmakers see a bigger problem at hand amid the worrying shortage of baby formula across the country: the increasing consolidation of corporate power through mergers and acquisitions that has led to rising income inequality.

There are only four manufacturers of infant formula in the United States,” Rep.

DeLauro introduced legislation this week that would boost funding for the Food and Drug Administration as part of an effort aimed to bring more firms into the heavily regulated baby formula market.

Abbott halted production and recalled several brands of formula earlier this year, leading to widespread shortages and panic among distraught parents across the country.

Last week, eight Senate Democrats wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and urged him to do more to address consolidation within the infant formula industry.