‘The results of this study are encouraging,’ the commissioner of the agency said.
Most infant formula tested by the Food and Drug Administration had low or undetectable levels of contaminants such as lead, the agency said on April 29.
The FDA tested 312 samples of the formula from 16 brands. It looked for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticides, chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that can cause health problems such as decreased fertility, and another set of chemicals called phthalates that have also been linked to health issues.
Mercury was only detected in 5 percent of samples, the FDA said. Most samples also had no detectable pesticides or phthalates.
Arsenic was found in 94 percent of samples, lead was detected in 80 percent of samples, cadmium was detected in 66 percent of samples, and most samples tested positive for at least one PFAS. The levels of contaminants, though, were mostly low, such as a median arsenic concentration of 0.5 parts per billion, according to the agency.
The FDA said in a statement that the results show “that the U.S. infant formula supply is safe.”
“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,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary stated.
“The results of this study are encouraging. We will continue to advance formula innovation and safety for the millions of families who depend on it.”
The testing began in 2023, during the Biden administration, and wrapped up in 2025. Wednesday was the first time the results were disclosed.
Officials said that they plan to conduct further testing and take action when deemed appropriate.
“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,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.
“We will hold manufacturers accountable, and give parents honest, transparent data they can trust. Protecting our children’s health is nonnegotiable.”
