If you care deeply about what goes into the bodies of our children, the newly proposed Safe Baby Formula Act, S. 2371, deserves your full attention. Introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and supported by a growing list of advocates in Congress, the Safe Baby Formula Act aims to ensure the safety of infant formula by regulating toxic metals. It would:
- Direct the FDA to study the impact that exposure to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in infant formula has on infant health; and
- Direct the FDA to identify and enforce maximum levels of those toxic metals in infant formula.
“It’s unacceptable that unknown amounts of dangerous metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead could be lurking in formula consumed by infants. The Safe Baby Formula Act calls for decisive federal action to study and reduce or remove them once and for all,” said Betsy Lehrfeld, President, Citizens for Health.
A Legacy of “Free-From” Advocacy
Citizens for Health is committed to promoting natural wellness and health accountability. Our founder, James S. Turner (1940-2022), was a strong advocate for keeping baby foods free from potentially harmful ingredients. He sounded an early alarm about harmful ingredients in baby food, encouraging parents to reclaim control through informed, wholesome choices.
READ MORE: California Bill Requires Toxic Metal Testing of Infant Food
We see states beginning to require toxic metal testing and disclosure in infant foods. California law (AB-899) now requires baby food manufacturers to regularly test their products for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead and to disclose the levels of those elements to consumers on brand websites.
Make Your Voice Heard
Your voice matters. While states like California have made strides with legislation requiring toxic metal testing and disclosure in infant foods, the Safe Baby Formula Act will go further for baby formula and minimize or remove them entirely nationwide. S. 2371 is now under consideration by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Here’s how you can help:
- Call or email your Congressional representatives urging support for the Safe Baby Formula Act.
- Share this post with other parents, caregivers and health advocates.
- Use social media to raise awareness using hashtags like #SafeBabyFormulaAct and #HeavyMetalsFreeBabyFood.
Our babies deserve to start their lives with clean, nourishing food. Let’s make that the standard, not the exception.
