The government is ramping up baby formula safety testing and supply

For parents who rely on formula to nourish their babies, safety and availability are non-negotiable. Now, the federal government is stepping in to address concerns over both. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced Operation Stork Speed, a new initiative aimed at making infant formula safer, more transparent, and more nutritionally up-to-date.

As part of this initiative, the FDA has begun its first comprehensive review of infant formula nutrient standards in over 30 years, marking a potentially historic shift in how formulas are regulated in the United States.

What is Operation Stork Speed?

This initiative, led by newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is part of the administration’s broader effort to improve food safety. It comes on the heels of a Consumer Reports study that found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, and PFAS in some formulas, raising concerns among parents. The program aims to:

• Increase Testing: The FDA will expand testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in formula and baby food.
• Reviewing Nutrients: As part of Operation Stork Speed, the FDA has launched its first comprehensive review of infant formula nutrients in over 30 years. The review will examine whether current nutrient requirements need to be updated and whether additional nutrients should be included.
  The FDA issued a formal Request for Information and is accepting public input until September 11. A public panel will convene in early June to review scientific data and recommend updates. Under current law, the HHS Secretary is expected to review nutrient standards every four years, but this is the first time such a full review has been undertaken in decades.
• Enhancing Transparency: The FDA will work with manufacturers to improve ingredient disclosure and consumer information.
• Supporting Research: The FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will collaborate to study the long-term health effects of formula feeding.
• Expand Formula Options: To increase availability, the FDA is allowing more formula brands—including some that don’t fully meet U.S. regulatory standards—to be sold under temporary guidelines. While this policy is designed to stabilize supply, parents should stay informed about which formulas meet the highest safety and nutritional standards

Related: Consumer reports study finds 50% of baby formulas contain unsafe chemical levels—what parents need to know

Why this matters

Formula shortages in recent years, including the 2022 Abbott formula recall, left many parents scrambling to find safe alternatives. Meanwhile, revelations about contaminants in some formula brands have heightened concerns about product safety.

The Biden administration had previously announced a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the infant formula market, and Operation Stork Speed builds on those efforts by focusing on safety, transparency, and accountability rather than immediate supply chain fixes.

Related: 6 things parents should keep in mind while shopping for baby formula

What this means for parents

While this initiative is a step forward, major changes will take time. In the meantime, parents can take the following actions:

• Stay Informed: Follow FDA updates on formula safety and new research findings.
• Check Formula Labels: Some formulas tested by Consumer Reports contained minimal contaminants, while others had concerning levels—parents can use this data to make informed choices.
• Ensure formulas are fortified with iron.
• Look for inclusion of key FDA-required nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins A, D, E, K, folic acid, magnesium, and zinc.
• Use trusted data from sources like Consumer Reports to evaluate contaminant levels.
• Consult Your Pediatrician: Infants have highly specific nutritional needs, especially during periods of rapid organ development. Parents should consult their child’s doctor when choosing or switching formula.
• Avoid Homemade Formula: The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly warns against homemade infant formula. These often lack essential nutrients and can lead to serious health problems like hypocalcemia (low calcium), seizures, and heart issues.
• Test Your Water: If using powdered formula, ensure your water source is free from lead and other contaminants.
• Support Stronger Regulations: Parents can advocate for stricter safety limits on formula contaminants by signing petitions and contacting lawmakers.

The nutrients every FDA-approved formula must contain

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently mandates that all infant formulas sold in the country include 30 essential nutrients to support a baby’s rapid growth and development during the first year of life. Each of these nutrients plays a critical role in brain development, immune function, and healthy organ growth.

• The FDA sets minimum levels for all 30 nutrients to ensure basic adequacy.
• It also sets maximum levels for 10 of those nutrients to prevent overdosing, since too much of certain vitamins or minerals can be harmful—especially to infants with small, sensitive systems.

Some of the key required nutrients include:

• Macronutrients:
  • Protein (for growth and tissue repair)
  • Fat (for brain development and energy)
• Vitamins:
  • Vitamin A (vision and immune function)
  • Vitamin D (bone development)
  • Vitamin E (cell protection)
  • Vitamin K (blood clotting)
• Minerals:
  • Iron (prevents anemia and supports brain development)
  • Folic Acid (essential for brain and spinal cord formation)
  • Magnesium and Zinc (support enzyme function and immunity)

This list reflects scientific consensus at the time, but the FDA is now actively reviewing whether updates are needed. As research advances, additional nutrients could be added or existing levels adjusted.

The bottom line

Parents deserve formula that is safe, nutritious, and consistently available. Operation Stork Speed is an encouraging sign that the government is taking infant nutrition seriously, but meaningful progress will depend on following through on scientific evidence and regulatory action.

For now, staying informed and choosing safer options are the best steps parents can take while waiting for stronger protections to take effect.