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Two-thirds of baby formulas tested by health experts contained dangerously elevated levels of toxic heavy metals.
The Florida Department of Health found that 16 of 24 widely available infant formulas exceeded the maximum allowable daily limits of heavy metals and pesticides, as established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.
Exposure to heavy metals during early development can cause serious and lasting harm, including irreversible effects to the brain.
The 24 products tested were made by seven popular brands: Bobbie, Bubs, ByHeart, Enfamil, Holle, Kendamil, and Similac.
Some of these companies insist they perform detailed testing for heavy metals and other toxins in their products. Kendamil, for example, says that it “rigorously tests every batch of our products for heavy metals.”
Most of the products tested were found to contain four toxic metals: arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead.
The Epoch Times reports, “Arsenic was detected at levels higher than the maximum daily limit in five products—Enfamil Gentlease NeuroPro Ready to Use, Enfamil Gentlease NeuroPro Ready to Use, Enfamil Prosobee, Similac Soy Isomil Powder, and Similac Total Comfort Powder.
“Excessive cadmium was found in three items: Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use, Enfamil Prosobee, and Similac Soy Isomil Powder.
“Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use and Similac Soy Isomil Powder contained lead beyond the allowed threshold.
“The presence of mercury was found to be excessive in sixteen products—Bobbie Organic Infant Formula, Bubs Goat Milk Based Formula, Enfamil AR Powder, Enfamil Gentlease Powder, Enfamil Gentlease NeuroPro Ready to Use, Enfamil Infant Concentrate, Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use, Enfamil Infant Powder, Enfamil Prosobee, Similac Advance Concentrate Liquid, Similac Advance Powder, Similac Sensitive Powder, Similac Soy Isomil Ready to Feed, Similac Soy Isomil Concentrated Liquid, Similac Soy Isomil Powder, and Similac Total Comfort Powder.”
The testing was conducted as part of the Healthy Florida First initiative.
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo shared the results in a post on X.
The results suggest “systemic problems in sourcing or manufacturing,” the governor said in a Jan. 9 post on X.
“However, some formulas showed no concerning contaminants, which proves that harm can be prevented—if someone is paying attention.”
In September last year, the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released its new strategy for making children again, which includes raising infant-formula standards as a key focus.
