The US Food and Drug Administration has announced the results of the largest and most rigorous examination ever conducted to detect the presence of chemical contaminants in infant formula available in the US 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.”

“You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to make sure our babies and infants have safe, high quality formula options that are backed by a resilient supply chain,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

Across the products tested, an overwhelming majority had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, affirming that the US infant formula supply is safe. The FDA tested more than 300 samples — representative of products sold at retail outlets across the US and generating more than 120,000 data points — for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides (including glyphosate and glufosinate), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and phthalates. The samples — which included powders, ready-to-feed liquids, and concentrated liquids — were tested and analysed in FDA laboratories.

While the overall level of contaminants in the tested samples was low, the FDA is following up with additional testing as part of its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts and will take additional action where appropriate. This includes further testing, including for additional contaminants, continuing to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the level of contaminants to as low as possible, and working to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula.

Small amounts of contaminants may be present in foods — including infant formula and breast milk — because they occur naturally or enter the environment through human activities in the areas where ingredients are grown or produced. 

(Source: USFDA)

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Published on May 4, 2026