FDA releases initial results from nationwide infant formula contaminant testing

Wednesday, April 29, 2026Science & ClimateWell-covered4 frames

The FDA released initial results from Operation Stork Speed, its large-scale review of chemical contaminants in infant formula sold in the United States.
The agency tested more than 300 infant formula samples collected between 2023 and 2025, including 312 samples from 16 brands.
The testing looked for heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, as well as pesticides, PFAS and phthalates.
According to the FDA, most tested formula samples had undetectable or very low levels of the contaminants it measured.
Multiple reports said the detected levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic were below federal drinking-water requirements across the samples tested.
The findings matter to a broad group of families because millions of parents and caregivers in the U.S. depend on infant formula.
The FDA said it plans to continue oversight and additional testing, while some outside experts said the results still leave questions about contaminant exposure and standards for infant formula.
One unresolved issue highlighted in coverage is that the U.S. does not currently have formal contaminant limits specifically for infant formula.

The FDA released initial results from Operation Stork Speed, its large-scale review of chemical contaminants in infant formula sold in the United States.
The agency tested more than 300 infant formula samples collected between 2023 and 2025, including 312 samples from 16 brands.
The testing looked for heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, as well as pesticides, PFAS and phthalates.
According to the FDA, most tested formula samples had undetectable or very low levels of the contaminants it measured.
Multiple reports said the detected levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic were below federal drinking-water requirements across the samples tested.
The findings matter to a broad group of families because millions of parents and caregivers in the U.S. depend on infant formula.
The FDA said it plans to continue oversight and additional testing, while some outside experts said the results still leave questions about contaminant exposure and standards for infant formula.
One unresolved issue highlighted in coverage is that the U.S. does not currently have formal contaminant limits specifically for infant formula.