Group PLC will import baby powder into the United States from its Singapore facility in what is said to be the most significant contribution to date by a producer aimed at reducing milk nutritional deficiencies across the country.

The owner of Enfamil says he will ship the equivalent of 66 million 8-ounce bottles of basic formula by November -- enough to feed more than 130,000 babies on average per month. The dust is expected to be shipped to a facility in Minnesota this month, where it will then be mixed and bagged for distribution.

Baby food has been in short supply for months. Initially, the shortage was caused by supply chain problems caused by the pandemic. Still, it was exacerbated by product recalls and production shutdowns at Abbott Laboratories, ABT -2.60%, which manufactures the Similac brand.

Abbott recently resumed production of the unique formula at its plant in Sturgis, Michigan, but the company said Wednesday it was closing after a thunderstorm flooded part of the facility.

Several other manufacturers have said they will increase production and supply imports of formula to the United States to reduce shortages, including owners Gerber Nestle SA and France's Danone SA. Reckitt has previously said it runs its factory 24 hours a day, including Sundays, to increase production. The company has also narrowed the product line it manufactures to increase volume, focusing on sizes that allow it to provide the most formulas.

According to Euromonitor, Enfamil's market share in the United States was 35% last year but has grown amid a Similac shortage in recent months.

The Food and Drug Administration said Reckitt imports were used to fulfill contractual obligations under a federally funded program known as the Special Supplementary Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Enfamil Stage 1 imported powder for babies from newborn to 6 months.