Many parents use and even rely on formula to feed their infants. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Breastfeeding Report Card, about 75% of babies are getting at least some milk by the age of 6 months.
Why not? Supplementing breast milk with formula can help make mealtimes convenient and consistent even when parents are absent. Plus, it’s a must-have for parents who can’t or don’t want to breastfeed or have low milk supply.
Therefore, many people may be worried about reading consumer report‘ (CR)’s new study tested 41 formulas and found that some formula brands contained “substantial amounts of contaminants,” including arsenic, lead, PFAS, bisphenol A (BPA), and acrylamide.
“The most likely reasons for the presence of these unwanted substances are contaminated ingredients and contamination during manufacturing,” says manager Sana Mujahid. CR Food safety and research.
Contaminants in food
Powdered milk isn’t the only food found to contain dangerous contaminants. CR A 2023 report found that many baby cereals and packaged snacks contain heavy metals. It’s found in many other foods, not to mention heavy metals and other concerning additives like PFAS and BPA.
However, infants may be particularly vulnerable to the health effects of these substances, especially if formula is their only food source.
“We’ve known for some time that heavy metals like arsenic and lead can make their way into baby formula and other foods, so this is not new information,” says Dr. Phil Boucher, a board-certified pediatrician based in Lincoln, Nebraska. “What’s frustrating is that research continues to find that some formulations contain detectable levels of these contaminants, while others manage to keep them at low levels. This shows that[the presence of these contaminants]is not inevitable.”
He specifically mentions PFAS, which are found in many foods, water, and soil. He said he was not surprised that PFAS were found in some formulas, but was concerned that nearly all formulas were tested. CR It contained some PFAS. “This shows that more surveillance is needed on how these chemicals are entering the food supply,” he says.
Risk of ingesting contaminants
Heavy metals and contaminants can enter food naturally or from industrial activities. However, ingesting them in high concentrations or continuously poses various risks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that exposure to high levels of arsenic is “associated with adverse neurological effects, including learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, and reduced IQ,” and that children are particularly susceptible to these effects “because of their small body size and rapid metabolism and growth.”
Similarly, the FDA states that high levels of exposure to lead, another heavy metal, during infancy and early childhood can lead to learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, and reduced IQ.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to PFAS can cause reproductive harm, growth retardation, obesity, cancer, immune system problems, and hormonal disorders.
BPA, on the other hand, is an endocrine disruptor and can interfere with hormone function. It has been linked to infertility, early puberty, and metabolic disorders such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Which infant formula had the highest levels of contaminants?
CR We tested 41 different formula products, including popular brands like Enfamil and Similac, emerging manufacturers, and products from European and Australian companies sold in the United States.
In this study, formulas were categorized into “top choices,” “good choices,” and “worst choices.” The good news is that the majority of formulas tested fell into the “Top Choice” or “Good Choice” category, with all tested contaminants either absent or at low levels.
but, CR It reported some results were “concerning”, including that some products contained “potentially harmful levels of arsenic and lead,” some products contained BPA and acrylamide, and most contained PFAS.
“Lead was detected more frequently than any other contaminant we tested,” Mujahid said.
The report found concerns about the following levels:
- Dr. Brown’s SoothePro
- Elecare hypoallergenic
- enfamil nutramigen
- Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant Based
- Cabrita goat milk base
- pure amino hypoallergenic
- like food
- Similar Neosure
- Similar total comfort
- Up & Up (Target) Soybeans
CR We contacted the parent companies of Perrigo, Abbott Nutrition, Mead Johnson, and Ausnutria, and they all said they have testing protocols in place to ensure the concentrations detected are within regulatory limits. Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson, which also had products in the “Top Choice” category, said they never knowingly add chemicals or heavy metals to their products. They added that heavy metals in the food supply are not just a problem for infant formula.
On a positive note, the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed on March 18, 2025, which aims to “intensify efforts to ensure the continued quality, safety, nutritional adequacy, and resiliency of the nation’s infant formula supply.”
What to do if you use one of the “worst choice” formulas
Dr. Boucher says if you find your child’s formula on the “worst choice” list: CR If you use the report or another reliable report shows that your brand has worrisome levels of contaminants, you can switch to a different formulation. It’s perfectly fine to switch formula, but be sure to talk to your child’s health care provider before making the switch.
He acknowledges that parents who have used any of the known contaminated formulas, especially over a long period of time, may wonder whether they should test their children for high levels.
“Lead can be checked with a simple blood test, and many pediatricians test for lead at around 12 to 24 months of age if there is a risk of lead exposure,” he says. Additionally, arsenic and other heavy metals can be measured in blood, urine, and even hair. “However, testing is typically only done when there is strong reason to suspect exposure.”
For PFAS and BPA, testing is not widely available for individual patients, he says. “Most studies look at the exposure of entire populations, rather than screening individuals,” he explains.
Still, Dr. Boucher says parents should talk to their child’s health care provider if they’re concerned. “Rather than reacting to past exposures, we should focus on reducing ongoing exposures,” he explains.
Never try to make the formula yourself
After receiving this news, CR Parents are cautioned against trying to make up the formula themselves. Dr. Boucher says this is an important recommendation because homemade baby formula can be dangerous and, in some cases, deadly.
“Babies have very specific needs for protein, fat, vitamins and minerals,” he says. “If something goes wrong, like too much or too little sodium or calcium, it can cause serious health problems and even organ failure.”
He added that some parents may think it’s okay to mix goat milk with vitamins, “but if you get the electrolyte and nutrient balance slightly wrong, you could be putting your baby’s kidneys and development at risk.”
Dr. Rebecca Diamond, a board-certified pediatrician, assistant professor at Columbia University, and a hospitalist in New York City, agrees, pointing out that the nutrient and salt content of formula is tightly controlled to ensure it’s safe for sensitive infants.
“For example, an incorrect electrolyte composition can lead to dangerous imbalances such as hyponatremia, which can lead to seizures and even be fatal for infants.”
She further added, “It is important to ensure that all raw materials are safe, highly regulated, stored correctly, and free of bacterial contamination that can lead to deadly bloodstream infections.”
meanwhile CR The findings could be frightening, especially for parents whose go-to prescriptions are in the “worst choice” category, Mujahid said. CR The research team hopes the study will “empower parents” and help them make safer choices.
