shortage of the Carnation Instant Milk product has been rectified.

A recent surge of bread makers given as Christmas gifts, prompted an outcry from locals for the powdered milk, which is an essential ingredient in making homemade bread.

According to Pitt & Company sales and marketing manager Steven Perry, Carnation powdered milk has been unavailable for several weeks because the parent company experienced internal changes, preventing shipment to the Island.

"We had a hard time getting the product in apparently,'' Mr. Perry said.

"But we've had a confirmation that the product will be here in a couple of weeks.'' Mr. Perry explained that his company is the sole supplier of the product to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the prisons as well as the supermarkets throughout the Island.

And this holiday season has seen an unusual high demand for the powdered milk.

But he said the shortage would not happen again any time soon.

"Now that we have been able to get a direct supply, we will always have the product in stock,'' he said.