WASHINGTON, D.C. – Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a review of U.S. infant formula, the first since 1998, to examine its ingredients and safety. The effort, named “Operation Stork Speed,” will look into nutrients, contaminants, and overall product safety.
“The FDA will use all resources to ensure infant formula is safe for families and children,” Kennedy said.
About 75% of U.S. infants use formula in their first six months, with 40% relying solely on it for nutrition, according to the CDC. Dr. Steven Abrams, an expert in infant nutrition, stressed the importance of updating FDA regulations to reflect global scientific advances.
The review, part of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, will include increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. The FDA will also review which ingredients may need to be added, removed, or changed.
Public comments on the review are due by September 11, and experts are pushing for better alignment with international formula standards. The 2022 U.S. formula shortage, triggered by contamination at an Abbott factory, highlighted the need for such a review.
Ingredient Concerns
Some parents have turned to European-made formula, believing it may be healthier. Although U.S. and European regulations differ, experts say both are generally safe. U.S. formulas contain higher levels of iron, but newer ingredients like DHA and human milk oligosaccharides are not required.
There are ongoing concerns about added sugars and seed oils in formula. Experts recommend replacing added sugars with lactose, the sugar found in breast milk, and emphasize the importance of seed oils for essential fatty acids.
The FDA’s review will take at least a year and require broad input from agencies, manufacturers, and the public to ensure thoroughness.
Related topics:
