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Recent study finds arsenic in baby formula and other heavy metal contamination. A serious concern for our most vulnerable population.
Ironically, the results of this study identifying lead, BPA, and arsenic in baby formula comes just prior to an announcement for a new initiative Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make infant formula safer.
Consumer Reports, a consumer advocacy group, recently tested 41 different powdered baby formulas for toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Among the agents identified were arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS.
Both established brands and newer startups were included in the samples.
Half of samples tested contained harmful levels of at least one contaminant.
The results were concerning. Around half of all samples included in the study contained potentially harmful levels of at least one contaminant.
Fortunately, the other half showed either low or no levels of those harmful contaminants. Proving there are at least some good options for parents on the market.
Many parents rely on formula to feed their babies. Families choose baby formula for many reasons. Some mothers are unable to breastfeed or choose not to. Some supplement breastmilk with commercial formula.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about 1 in 5 newborns in the U.S. start out eating formula exclusively.” By the time they reach 6 months of age, 3 out of 4 babies are consuming formula as at least part of their diet.
If the 2022 formula shortage and outbreak caused by a deadly bacteria found in a manufacturing facility didn’t teach us something, we now understand that even the most regulated food on the market is vulnerable.
The events in 2022 highlighted the gaps that remained in the formula industry’s safety procedures. A problem that still persists. Based on the results of the Consumer Reports study, anyway.
Arsenic is a heavy metal. While it is naturally occurring, it is carcinogenic to humans. Pesticide manufacturing and industrial processes are common sources of arsenic pollution.
It is very dangerous.
In fact, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry rates arsenic as “the most toxic substance in the environment.” The most toxic form being “inorganic arsenic,” a known carcinogen for people of all ages.
Abbott Nutrition’s EleCare Hypoallergenic came in with the highest inorganic arsenic level, with 19.7 parts per billion (ppb). Followed by Similac Alimentum with 15.1 ppb, also made by Abbott Nutrition.
Other brands with arsenic in baby formula above daily limits included:
Brands with arsenic in baby formula near daily limits included:
While there are no established limits for arsenic in formula. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits arsenic in municipal drinking water at 10 ppb. The same limit the FDA has for bottled water.
Consumer Reports calculated a “hazard quotient” to determine a level that no adverse health effects are expected to occur. In this case, an average sized 3-month-old infant consuming an average amount each day. The hazard quotient for arsenic was surpassed in eight of the 41 formulas tested. Two were very close to that hypothetical value.
Lead is also a heavy metal. It is commonly associated with paint and old pipes but is also naturally occurring in the environment. Lead is known to cause neurological and developmental problems in babies and children.
Studies have linked lead exposure to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavior problems, and lower IQ.
Lead was found in almost all formulas. Concentrations ranged from 1.2 ppb to 4.2 ppb. Tests revealed that 18 of the 41 formulas tested were near daily maximum limits.
The FDA’s “Close to Zero goal” for lead is under 10 to 20 ppb, though there is no safe amount of lead. Especially in infants. Consumer Reports experts believe that the established hazard limits are too high.
Consumer Reports deferred to the more conservative California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) as the hazard quotient for lead in baby formula.
The study found 18 of the formulas tested fell between 50 and 100 percent of the MADL for the average 3-month-old.
PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals.” These human-made pollutants stay in the environment and our bodies. Well. Just about forever.
Studies have found that these forever chemicals negatively impact human immunity fertility, and longevity. And that is just the effects we know about. We are still learning about what these chemicals do to the human body. A serious concern when consumed by adults. Even more so when consumed by babies.
At least some of the thousands of PFAS were found in all formulas tested. But PFOS were found in several formula products.
Unfortunately, there are no specific hazard limits for PFAS in baby formula. Experts suggest that a “closer to zero” mentality is best when it comes to this harmful contaminant. Since there is practically no way of getting PFAS free baby formula, parents may consider testing and filtering the drinking water used to mix powdered formula to lower the amount from at least that controllable source.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and acrylamide were two other chemicals tested in the Consumer Reports study.
BPA is a human-made chemical used in plastic manufacturing that ends to leach out of the material into food. This chemical is known to interfere with hormones and is banned in baby bottles and infant formula containers.
Acrylamide is a “process contaminant” that is a byproduct of certain manufacturing processes. The FDA has not set limits for acrylamide in food, but the EPA has classified it as a likely carcinogen
BPA and acrylamide were found in one formula. Enfamil’s Nutramigen. A commonly recommended formula for babies sensitive to cow’s milk formula.
Just after this Consumer Reports study was published, the FDA announced a new initiative to strengthen the agency’s oversight of the formula industry.
Fortunately, this initiative includes increased testing for heavy metal and other contaminants.
And it couldn’t come at a better time.
“The FDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy in the announcement. “Helping each family and child get off to the right start from birth is critical to our pursuit to Make America Healthy Again.”
The initiative includes:
The press release ends with the statement that “the FDA remains committed to infant formula safety and nutritional quality and is taking all actions to ensure the U.S. infant formula supply ranks the best in the world.”
The results of the Consumer Reports testing have been confronted by several of the baby formula manufacturers mentioned in the study. Some indicate that these contaminants are naturally occurring. Others outright disagreeing with the test results.
What are your thoughts on the Consumer Reports study findings?
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Consumer Reports Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula Among Other Heavy Metal Contaminants,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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