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 accessible.

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: The FDA is beginning its first comprehensive review of infant formula nutrients since 1998, starting with a Request for Information to gather input from experts.
• 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.
• 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 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.