Health advocates have disputed the Trump administration's assertion that baby formula samples meet a high safety standard, after independent scientists found most samples were contaminated with toxic chemicals such as Pfas and phthalates. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 300 samples under Operation Stork Speed, but critics say the data gaps and contamination levels raise serious concerns.
At least half of the samples contained Pfos, a dangerous Pfas compound for which no safe exposure level in drinking water has been established. About half also contained phthalates, a plasticiser, and some had low levels of lead or chlorpyrifos, a pesticide the EPA tried to ban in 2021. Independent consultant Maricel Maffini warned that endocrine disruptors like these pose risks even at low doses, affecting children's development and causing long-term health harms.
The FDA's top-line results noted that 25 of 30 Pfas compounds were not found, but a majority of samples still contained some Pfas. Dry formulas were particularly affected, and mixing them with water could increase toxicity. Tasha Stoiber of the Environmental Working Group highlighted that low-level exposures are linked to health effects in newborns during critical development stages.
Significant data gaps remain: product names are not listed, and it is unclear if samples contained multiple contaminants. The FDA's statements also appear to contradict a 2014 paper that detailed risks from small amounts of these chemicals for infants. Health advocates call for greater transparency and stronger protections.
