Heavy Metals Found in Many Baby Formulas, Consumer Reports Says

Arsenic and lead, which can negatively impact IQ scores in children, were found in the products.

A family waits to receive baby formula at a Walmart Supercenter in Houston, Texas, on July 8, 2022. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

A test of 49 infant formulas sold in the United States found that 26 had “potentially concerning levels” of harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and chemicals, advocacy group Consumer Reports said in a March 3 report.

Consumer Reports tested three types of infant formula: ready-to-feed, concentrated, and powdered. The team tested the items for heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, and chemicals including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Other contaminants tested were acrylamide, cadmium, mercury, and several bisphenols, including BPA.