Particle.news
Download on the App Store
11 ARTICLES
·
10h ago

FDA Says U.S. Infant Formula Supply Is Safe After Largest Contaminant Review

The findings prompt follow-up testing alongside calls for enforceable contaminant limits.

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
Image
Canisters of infant formula are priced as high as $31.75 per 12.4-ounces at a market serving the Central American immigrant community in the Westlake/Pico Union area of Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Image

Overview

  • The FDA, which released results Wednesday, reported that most of more than 300 formulas tested showed undetectable or very low levels of chemical contaminants.
  • The study spanned 16 brands and generated over 120,000 measurements across powders and liquids for heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals,” and phthalates used in plastics.
  • Key results showed mercury was absent in 95% of samples, pesticides were not detected in 99%, most PFAS were not found, and lead was undetected in 20%.
  • A small set of human milk samples also contained contaminants, with higher mercury than formula but still far below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water benchmarks.
  • FDA officials began follow-up testing for flagged samples and will keep surveying products under Operation Stork Speed as HHS convenes industry leaders in May, while experts and consumer groups press the agency to set firm standards it does not yet have.