On the heels of a countrywide baby formula scarcity, Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a state of emergency on Sunday, allowing the city to crack down on price gouging of the crucial substance used by families.

Adams announced the decision on Sunday, and his office stated that it will provide the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection the authority to combat price gouging for infant formula under New York City regulations.

The mayor of New York Local stated that the scarcity has created “unimaginable agony and anxiety” for city families.

“The nationwide infant formula shortage has caused unimaginable pain and anxiety for families across New York — and we must act with urgency,” Adams said. “This emergency executive order will help us to crack down on any retailer looking to capitalize on this crisis by jacking up prices on this essential good. Our message to struggling mothers and families is simple: Our city will do everything in its power to assist you during this challenging period.”

According to a news release, people in New York City who believe they have been overcharged for infant formula can register a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp.

The nationwide baby formula shortage has recently worsened as a result of Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of specific powdered formulas manufactured at its Sturgis, Michigan, facility following four complaints that four babies who consumed products manufactured at the plant became ill with a bacterial infection, two of whom died.

Abbott Nutrition announced in a statement on May 11 that product from its Sturgis, Michigan factory might take months to reach retailer shelves after a voluntary recall led the firm to halt operations at the site. The factory had already shutdown in February. Abbott has said that no child fatalities have been attributed to any product manufactured at the Sturgis factory.