FDA announces new initiative to boost infant formula safety

• The FDA launched “Operation Stork Speed” to enhance infant formula safety. The initiative includes updating nutrient standards for the first time since 1998, increasing testing for heavy metals, and promoting ingredient transparency.
• Consumer Reports recently found harmful levels of arsenic and lead in some baby formulas.
• Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner emphasized ensuring formula safety and availability. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also met with top infant formula CEOs to discuss the initiative.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new initiative called “Operation Stork Speed” to increase the safety and guidelines of infant formula.

“The FDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Helping each family and child get off to the right start from birth is critical to our pursuit to Make America Healthy Again.”

First nutrient guideline updates in more than two decades

In its announcement, the FDA said it would begin the first comprehensive update of infant formula nutrients since 1998, issuing a request for information in the coming months, as required by law.

The agency will focus on increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in infant formula. The FDA encouraged companies to be more transparent about the ingredients they use.

“The FDA is deeply committed to ensuring that moms and other caregivers of infants and young children and other individuals who rely on infant formula for their nutritional needs have confidence that these products are safe, consistently available, and contain the nutrients essential to promote health and well-being during critical stages of development and life,” said acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H.

What do popular formulas currently contain?

One popular baby formula, Enfamil’s Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron, lists “nonfat milk” as its first ingredient, followed by “lactose.” The third ingredient is vegetable oil, with sunflower oil and palm oil in parentheses. Thirty-four other ingredients are listed on the label.

Another popular infant formula, Similac Advance for Neuro Support, lists sunflower oil, soy oil, and more than 40 other ingredients.

Consumer Reports released an investigative report on baby formulas Tuesday, March 18. The report claimed it found potentially harmful levels of arsenic and lead in dozens of samples. Consumer Reports stated that most samples did not raise concerns, and the organization shared its investigation with the FDA on Monday, one day before the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed.

Kennedy met with the CEOs of top infant formula companies Tuesday, including the makers of Similac and Enfamil.