Largest-ever FDA testing of infant formula confirms low contaminant levels

Ben Cornwell2026-04-30T07:00:00

Woman,Preparing,Infant,Formula,At,Table,,Closeup.,Baby,Milk

Largest-ever FDA infant formula study finds most products meet high safety standards while regulators pledge tighter oversight and transparency.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed the largest-ever testing programme for chemical contaminants in infant formula sold in the United States, with results showing most products contain undetectable or very low levels.

The agency analysed more than 300 infant formula samples from retail markets across the US, generating over 120,000 data points. Scientists screened powdered, ready-to-feed and concentrated liquid formulas for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides including glyphosate and glufosinate, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates.

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