FDA releases results from ‘largest-ever’ testing of infant formula in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced results from the “largest and most rigorous examination ever conducted focused on chemical contaminants in infant formula available on the U.S. market. While breast milk is widely considered the gold standard and optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible, millions of parents depend on formula.” “We tested more infant formula than ever before, and the results are clear: most products meet a high safety standard-but even small exposures matter for newborns,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We will hold manufacturers accountable, and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable.” Across the products tested, an overwhelming majority of samples had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the U.S. infant formula supply is safe. The FDA tested more than 300 infant formula samples representative of products sold at retail across the U.S.-generating more than 120,000 data points-for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and phthalates. The samples, which included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids, were rigorously tested and analyzed in FDA laboratories. The FDA will continue to test infant formula as part of Operation Stork Speed and ongoing surveillance of foods, including testing infant formula products that have entered the U.S. market since this initial survey began and conducting additional compliance sampling. Publicly traded companies that make infant formula include Nestle (NSRGY), Danone (DANOY), and Abbott (ABT).