FDA Completes Rigorous Testing of Infant Formula, Finds Low Contaminant Levels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has completed the most comprehensive testing of infant formula for chemical contaminants in U.S. history.

The agency analyzed more than 300 products and generated over 130,000 data points. It screened for heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic; pesticides including glyphosate and glufosinate; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS; and phthalates.

Results show the U.S. infant formula supply is safe. The overwhelming majority of products had undetectable or extremely low levels of these substances. No pesticides appeared in 99 percent of samples, and 1 percent had less than 0.25 parts per billion. All samples fell well below Environmental Protection Agency requirements for heavy metals in drinking water. PFAS and plasticizers produced similar results.

While breast milk remains the gold standard, millions of parents and caregivers rely on formula. The findings offer reassurance to those families.

The testing forms part of Operation Stork Speed, a mission to improve infant formula safety and nutrition. The FDA's "Babies First" approach focuses on three pillars: safety, availability and quality.

Supply chain problems, slow bureaucracy and outdated regulations have eroded family trust in the food system. Under President Donald Trump, the administration prioritizes babies over bureaucracy.

The FDA will keep monitoring products, expand data collection and use new scientific tools to maintain strong standards. It plans to set action levels, test new products entering the market, ensure accountability and share findings publicly.

To boost availability and avoid shortages, the agency will cut unnecessary regulatory barriers and work with industry to spot supply chain issues. It has asked Congress to update FDA authorities for better contaminant limits and to tackle microbiological risks.

The effort includes more product options with natural ingredients and without added sugars, corn syrup or seed oils.

The administration also seeks to improve formula quality. It launched a joint project with the National Institutes of Health to study how infant dietary exposures affect lifelong health. Modern tools will help anticipate innovations and risks.

The last full review of formula nutrients happened in 1998. The Trump administration views Operation Stork Speed as a commitment to protect families through transparency, strength and action.