16 Out of 24 Commonly-Used Infant Formula Contain Heavy Metals Beyond Permissible Limits: Florida Health

Exposure to heavy metal contamination threatens children’s neurodevelopment.

A family waits to receive baby formula in a Walmart Supercenter in Houston, Texas, on July 08, 2022. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

A test of 24 widely available infant formula products conducted by the Florida Department of Health has found that 16 of them contained “elevated levels” of heavy metals, according to a report from the Healthy Florida First initiative.

Results of the report were shared by state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, according to a Jan. 9 post on X by the Florida Department of Health.

Infant formulas that exceeded the maximum allowable daily limit of heavy metals and pesticides, according to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, were listed in the report.

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.”

The 24 products tested were manufactured by seven major brands—Bobbie, Bubs, ByHeart, Enfamil, Holle, Kendamil, and Similac.

Most of the items were found to contain four heavy metals—arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead.

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.

In a February 2024 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that exposure to lead and other heavy metals can seriously harm infants.

“If you have heavy metals in your body, the metals can enter your semen or breast milk. If your baby drinks your breast milk that contains heavy metals, they will enter your baby’s body. This can have long-term effects on the neurodevelopment of your child,” it said.

“Heavy metals can also affect a baby’s developing brain.”

Of the 24 products, eight did not contain heavy metals above the set limit.

These were Bobbie Infant Formula, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Holle Organic Infant Formula Stage 1, Holle Organic Infant Goat Milk Formula Stage 1, Kendamil Classic, Kendamil Goat Milk Based Formula, Similac Advance Ready to Feed, and Similac Sensitive Ready to Feed.

The report noted that none of the 24 items had pesticides exceeding the accepted thresholds.

Of the seven brands, four had at least one product with heavy metals exceeding permitted limits. ByHeart, Kendamil, and Holle were the only manufacturers with none of their products exceeding limits for heavy metals.

“Early nutrition plays a critical role in growth and development. Understanding what is present in infant formula supports informed decision-making for parents and caregivers,” the department said in a Jan. 9 post on X.

“We remain committed to holding companies accountable to prioritize the health and safety of Floridians.”

The Healthy Florida First initiative seeks to strengthen nutrition programs and bring down chronic disease in the state. Multiple state agencies, including the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, are partnering in the initiative.

The Epoch Times reached out to the companies for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.

Ensuring Accountability

Some companies have said that they subject their products to rigorous testing for heavy metals.

For instance, ByHeart says on its website that it conducts more than 1,000 tests on ingredients and processes to validate the “good stuff,” such as protein and nutrients, and to detect “unwanted stuff,” such as heavy metals and other contaminants.

“Heavy metals, such as lead, are naturally occurring in our environment, including in soil, drinking water, food, breast milk, and infant formulas. It’s helpful to remember that the trace levels in all infant formulas are significantly less than what’s found in organic foods we eat, such as strawberries, grains, or fish,” it said.

Kendamil also makes similar claims regarding heavy metals monitoring on its website. “Kendamil rigorously tests every batch of our products for heavy metals,” it said.

“We have partnered with an advanced specialist food safety lab to help us identify and control trace heavy metals at more precise levels than ever before.”

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for the manufacturer Bobbie said, “Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment and can be found in trace amounts in all food products. At Bobbie, we are dedicated to sourcing high-quality ingredients and actively working to limit the levels of heavy metals in our Organic Infant Formula. We align with the FDA’s ‘Closer to Zero’ program, which acknowledges that while zero is unattainable, manufacturers should strive for the lowest possible levels.”

In his Jan. 9 X post, Gov. DeSantis said Florida has “stepped up” to protect the most vulnerable of its population and is working with federal partners to enhance accountability and provide families with more options for accessing safe food for babies.

“Thanks to [Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.], families on WIC will be able to use the program to select from a wider variety of infant formulas if they want to switch products based on the findings of the Healthy Florida First initiative,” he wrote.

WIC refers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The program is available to women who are pregnant, were recently pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as well as children under the age of five. It provides healthy foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, and baby food, to qualified individuals.

Infant formula is a key part of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-chaired Make America Healthy Again Commission.

In September 2025, the Commission released its Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, with raising infant formula standards among the key focus areas, according to a Sept. 9 statement from the Department of Health and Human Services.