Trump Administration Reports Most Baby Formula Samples Meet Safety Standard

The Trump administration announced earlier this month that hundreds of baby formula samples tested for toxic chemicals meet a high safety standard. Public health advocates said the claim contradicts data showing that a majority of samples were contaminated with PFAS or phthalates.

Independent scientists who reviewed the results said the data gaps and contamination levels raise concerns, though they noted some positive aspects and praised the expansion of the testing program. The samples were examined for PFAS, phthalates, lead, pesticides, mercury and other substances.

At least half contained PFOS, one of the most dangerous PFAS compounds, for which the federal government has previously determined no level of exposure in drinking water is safe. About half of the samples also contained some phthalates. Industry mounted a successful legal challenge to that decision.

The secretary added that most products meet a high safety standard but even small exposures matter for newborns. The release did not detail next steps. A 2014 FDA paper indicated that small amounts of these chemicals likely present a serious risk for newborns, who are small, still developing and have a greater food-to-body-weight ratio than adults.

Top FDA officials' statements appear to contradict that paper in part. The FDA wrote that 95 percent of PFOS levels were below 2.9 parts per trillion. Drinking water limits are set at four parts per trillion, though advocates said those limits may not be protective for infants consuming formula.

A wide range of studies have linked low levels of PFAS exposure in utero or in infancy to decreased immunity. The FDA noted that it tested for 30 PFAS compounds and that most of those compounds were not found in any samples. A majority of samples still contained some PFAS at levels that concerned independent experts.

Much of the PFAS was found in dry formulas, which are mixed with water that may also contain the chemicals. The likely source of the phthalates, found in 46 percent of samples, is plastic food packaging or processing equipment. The FDA has not set any enforceable limit on phthalates or established a safe level of daily intake.

An independent consultant who does regulatory work aimed at strengthening consumer protections said she was encouraged by the expanded testing but alarmed by the prevalence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The consultant said there is no really safe amount of endocrine disruptors.

She added that the argument that low amounts are not too risky goes against what is known about how these chemicals affect the body. A scientist with the Environmental Working Group said very low levels of exposure are associated with health effects and that newborns are in a critical stage of development.

Lead and other metal contamination has long been a problem in baby formula. The levels in the most recent tests are lower than they have been in the past, according to the director of a nonprofit focused on lead exposure in children. That director said public and political pressure on industry appears to be working but that ongoing transparency is needed.

The director said industry regularly tests its formulas but that the FDA maintains it largely does not have authority to view those results. New legislation introduced in California and Vermont would require formula producers to share test results with the public.

The director added that the next step should be to set an action level on lead, which does not yet exist.

The product names are not listed in the test data, so it is unclear which formulas are free from the chemicals. The agency did not say whether any sample contained more than one contaminant. Multiple chemical exposures are generally thought to have additive or synergistic effects that increase danger.

The FDA commissioner called the results encouraging.

The commissioner said society can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members and that the agency is working to ensure babies have safe formula options backed by a resilient supply chain.