Concerning report on lead, arsenic, PFAS, BPA, and acrylamide found in *some* infant formulas.
Majority were just fine.
Locally, I see a ton of kids on alimentum & nutramigen who are put on them for fussiness and left on them for the rest of their months on formula, often 8+ months!
Baby Formula Safety: What You Need to Know
I’m stuck at home today because of the winter weather—classic Nebraska. It was 82 degrees two days ago, and now we’re in a blizzard warning.
But let’s talk about something important. A new Consumer Reports article just dropped, and I actually commented on this in a Parents.com article. I got an advanced copy before the embargo was lifted, so I’ve been reviewing it.
The report tested baby formulas for lead, arsenic, plastics, and other contaminants—and unfortunately, some tested positive.
Key Takeaways from the Report:
Arsenic in Baby Formula
Arsenic is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans.
It has been found in fruit juice, baby food, and bottled water before.
It has no place in food, yet some formulas contained unsafe levels.
Lead in Baby Formula
No level of lead exposure is safe, but because lead exists in soil, it’s hard to remove completely.
The goal is to keep levels as low as possible.
Some formulas exceeded the maximum allowable dose.
Other Harmful Contaminants
PFAS ("forever chemicals"), BPA, and acrylamide were detected in certain formulas.
These chemicals are linked to health risks and are found in plastics and food packaging.
Which Formulas Were Affected?
The report listed top choices (formulas with little to no contamination) and concerning choices (those that tested high for harmful substances).
Some of the most concerning formulas include:
Elecare – High levels of arsenic
Alimentum – High levels of lead and inorganic arsenic
Nutramigen – Poor scores across the board for BPA, acrylamide, inorganic acid, and lead
What This Means for Parents
Sometimes, babies need specialized formulas, but the goal should be short-term use.
Many fussy babies are put on hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed formulas without investigating root causes.
Parents are often never told to step down to a more affordable and safer formula once symptoms improve.
This leads to a year of unnecessary exposure to expensive and potentially harmful formulas.
What Should You Do?
Talk to Your Pediatrician – If your baby is on a specialty formula, ask if they still need it.
Limit Long-Term Use – If a formula is needed for fussiness, try stepping down after a month to see if symptoms improve.
Choose Safer Options – Many regular formulas are both safer and more affordable.
This is a big issue, but the good news is most formulas tested well. If you have questions, drop them in the comments.
And let’s hope my power stays on in this blizzard! ❄️
Want more help?
If you live in Nebraska and are interested in working with us (in person or virtual) on getting off these formulas and back to a more regular formula…just text us and we can arrange a time to visit —> 402-817-2116 or just click here to schedule a one time consultation
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