Beyond the Clickbait

Infant formula is one of the most closely watched and regulated foods out there. Parents deserve to feel confident that what they’re feeding their baby is safe, nourishing, and meets the highest standards–and for the most part, it does. Formula companies and government agencies regularly test these products to make sure they’re meeting key safety and nutrition benchmarks.

That said, a recent report from Consumer Reports has stirred up a lot of conversation–and, understandably, some anxiety–about what's in formula and what still needs improving.

As a formula-feeding mom myself (who was also formula-fed as a baby!), I get how unsettling these headlines can feel–especially after the formula shortages we’ve all lived through and the pressure many parents already carry around feeding choices.

But let me be clear: this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chance to learn, to push for progress, and to make sure we’re doing the best we can to keep formula as safe and high-quality as possible.

More importantly, it’s a chance for me to help you cut through the noise and reassure you that you don’t need to toss your formula or panic over clickbait headlines. Let’s break it all down together.

What the Consumer Reports Testing Found–and What It Means

Consumer Reports tested 41 infant formulas, including major brands, store-brand options, and specialty formulas, for the presence of contaminants:

• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)

• Industrial chemicals (PFAS)

• Food processing byproducts (BPA, acrylamide)

The Good News:

Many of the most widely used formulas, including Enfamil NeuroPro, Enfamil Gentlease, Similac Advance, Kirkland ProCare, and Bobbie Organic, were labeled “Top Choices” by CR, meaning they had low or undetectable levels of all contaminants. Others, like ByHeart, Kendamil Organic, and Neocate, showed low or undetectable levels for most contaminants.

Here’s a preview of the breakdown:

The Reminder:

Before this sparks worry, remember that these elements are naturally occurring–found in soil, water, and even breast milk. Exposure doesn’t come from formula alone.

Dose matters. Toxicity risk depends on how much and how often. Trace exposure isn’t the same as dangerous exposure.

Context is everything. The presence of a contaminant doesn’t automatically make a product unsafe. It should encourage continued progress.

TL;DR: If your baby is thriving on a formula that appears on a “high contaminant” list, you likely do not need to switch.

Check out CR’s full breakdown of formula rankings, including which formulas had the lowest levels of contaminants.

NOTE: my comments are coming about this next, as the chart alone can cast doubt and fear.

Does the report add value?

Yes–but with nuance.

Adds value by:

• Highlighting gaps in U.S. regulation or areas we can improve in and being clear with numerical standards for these environmental ingredients 

• Encouraging transparency and stronger oversight

• Offering data to push for clearer, enforceable standards

Limitations to note:

• No context for real-world risk (levels often below known safety thresholds)

• Lacks comparison to regulatory limits or typical dietary exposure

• “Ranking” formulas without transparent criteria

• Risks stoking parental fear without actionable insight

Comparing Current U.S. vs. EU Standards

The EU has its own regulations, which are more detailed, while the U.S. is still catching up under the Closer to Zero initiative.

The conversation now isn’t about whether formula is unsafe–it’s about how testing, oversight, and regulations can continue to evolve to minimize potential risks and ensure the safest possible option for infants. CR’s testing provides the data needed to push for stronger safety standards, clearer labeling, and greater accountability across the industry–ensuring that all formulas meet the highest standards for infant health.

How Formula Safety is Regulated–and What’s Changing

Infant formula is one of the most closely monitored food products in the U.S. with manufacturers required to meet strict federal nutrition and safety standards. The FDA oversees formula production, ensuring all products provide essential nutrients and meet quality requirements before they reach store shelves. This FDA page covers how the FDA oversees the safety and nutritional quality of formula, along with other resources.

However, when it comes to contaminants like heavy metals, PFAS, and other chemicals, regulations are still evolving. The FDA currently has not set specific maximum limits for heavy metals in infant formula, which leaves a significant regulatory gap. In contrast, there are existing limits for lead in water or arsenic in rice cereal and infant foods. This highlights the importance of third-party testing to fill in where federal guidance is still lacking.

Although the FDA has issued draft guidance and long-term action plans like Closer to Zero to reduce heavy metal exposure in baby food, these efforts are still nonbinding and rely on voluntary compliance. Stronger, enforceable standards are needed to ensure consistency and accountability.

Important to remember: Because lead and other elements are naturally occurring, they are impossible to eliminate entirely. In fact, studies show that breast milk–often considered the gold standard for infant nutrition–can contain measurable amounts of lead, sometimes higher than what was found in formulas.

What Is Operation Stork Speed?

In response to growing concerns, the government is stepping up oversight. The FDA and HHS recently announced Operation Stork Speed, a new initiative focused on improving formula safety, updating nutritional standards, and ensuring stable supply. These efforts are designed to reduce contamination risks, improve transparency, and strengthen regulatory oversight–all while ensuring families have continued access to safe and reliable infant formula.

Operation Stork Speed aims to:

• Improve formula safety and testing

• Update nutritional standards

• Expand and stabilize the supply chain

• Strengthen regulatory oversight

Why It Matters:

• Builds on past initiatives from earlier administrations

• Encourages coordination between manufacturers, scientists, and regulators

• Could lead to more uniform, science-backed standards

BUT: It must prioritize real science–not fear-based decision-making. Misinformation (like unfairly demonizing corn syrup or villainizing U.S. formulas) shouldn’t guide regulation.

If done well, this initiative could create a more transparent, safer formula landscape for all families–without igniting unnecessary parental anxiety.

FAQs: Common Concerns From The PDT Community

Yes. All formulas currently sold in the U.S. meet FDA nutritional standards. While the Consumer Reports study found trace amounts of contaminants in some formulas, these levels are generally low and well within the safety margins set for other food and water products.

Your baby’s formula is still safe. If your child is growing well, meeting milestones, and tolerating their current formula, there is no need to switch–especially based on trace elements that naturally occur in soil, water, and even breast milk.

Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns. They can help you determine what’s best based on your baby’s individual needs.

Not necessarily. Both U.S. and European formulas undergo rigorous safety testing, but they differ in their formulation:

• European formulas: Tend to require higher lactose content, include mandatory DHA, and limit certain additives like corn syrup solids. They also have tighter contaminant standards.

• U.S. formulas: Are designed to align with American pediatric guidance, especially for iron needs. They’re also FDA-regulated and widely available.

Keep in mind: Most European formulas sold online are not FDA-regulated, which means they haven’t gone through the same safety checks. Choose what works for your baby, not just based on labels.

Please avoid it. Homemade recipes circulating online lack essential nutrients and can lead to serious issues like electrolyte imbalances or malnutrition. Stick to commercially prepared formulas, which are nutritionally complete and closely regulated.

If you're mixing powdered formula, consider your water source:

• Use filtered or bottled water if you’re concerned about tap quality.

• Have your well water tested, especially for lead and nitrates. Many local health departments offer free or low-cost testing.

Possibly–but efforts are in place to prevent it. The new Operation Stork Speed initiative is aimed at improving formula safety and oversight while strengthening the supply chain. The goal is to avoid the disruptions we saw in 2022 by:

• Expanding domestic production

• Speeding up regulatory approvals

• Ensuring a more resilient, diversified formula market

Final Thoughts & Parent Takeaways

Rather than fueling fear with the clickbait headlines, this Consumer Reports investigation can serve as a launchpad for advocacy and improvement. Here's how we move forward:

• Push for clear, enforceable federal standards for heavy metals and industrial elements in formula not just baby foods

• Demand transparent labeling and independent testing

• Encourage collaboration with pediatric nutrition experts

• Work with environmental agencies to reduce the presence of heavy metals in food and baby formula instead of deregulating them.  

• Shift responsibility away from parents having to “figure it out”

A few reminders:

• Formula is still safe and strictly regulated. The presence of trace contaminants doesn’t make formula unsafe–it reminds us why continuous improvement matters.

• Environmental exposure is everywhere. Heavy metals, PFAS, and other substances can be found in soil, water, and even breast milk. Formula isn’t the sole source.

• Your baby’s needs come first. Some infants need specific formulas due to digestion, reflux, or allergies. Others do better on a particular taste or brand. If your baby is thriving, there’s no reason to switch just because of a list.

• Water safety matters. Don’t overlook the role of your water source in overall feeding safety.

• Say no to homemade formulas. The risks outweigh any perceived benefits.

From One Parent to Another:

Parenting is hard enough without second-guessing how you feed your baby. Formula feeding is not second-best, including formula-feeding American formula–it’s valid, safe, and often necessary. Reports like these aren’t here to scare you. They’re meant to spark change at a policy level, not burden already-stressed parents.

I personally fed my son American formula, and my daughter received it for a month as part of combo feeding. And no part of this report makes me–a pediatrician and mother–second-guess my choices. 

• Formula is one of the most regulated foods available.

• Trace contaminants don’t equal danger.

• You are doing an incredible job–formula, breast milk, combo, or otherwise.

Let’s stay informed. Let’s advocate. Let’s keep nourishing our babies without shame.

On The Podcast

Is America REALLY less healthy than it used to be? Or is that just a myth? 

Lately, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has been romanticizing the past—but was it really a "healthier" time? 🤔 Higher infant mortality, shorter life expectancy, and limited medical advancements suggest otherwise.

Today, I’m joined by Nini Munoz, Science & Risk Communicator, and Dr. Jessica Knurick, Dietitian & Nutrition Scientist, to break down:

• The myth of the 'healthier past'—why public health was worse, not better.

• Misinformation & fear-based narratives—how MAHA spreads harmful myths about vaccines, food, and disease.

• The real problem with food policy—why fixating on seed oils & food dyes distracts from real issues like ultra-processed food and food deserts.

• The wellness industry’s role—how influencers profit off fear with detoxes, supplements, and misinformation via predatory wellness.

• What actually improves health—real solutions like healthcare access, school lunch reform, and food subsidies.

On YouTube

As a pediatrician, I’m sharing key asthma signs & triggers—so you can feel confident helping your child breathe easier every day. The video covers:

• What is asthma?

• common asthma triggers

• Asthma attacks

• How is asthma diagnosed?

• When is asthma an emergency?

Asthma Part 2 is coming next week!

Ask Dr. Mona

An opportunity for YOU to ask Dr. Mona your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!