Dangerous Contaminants Found in Some Baby Formulas

Many parents use, and even depend, on formula to feed their infants. In fact, by age 6 months, about 75% of babies receive at least some formula, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Breastfeeding Report Card.

And why not? Supplementing breast milk with formula can help make mealtimes convenient and consistent, even when parents are away. Plus, it’s a necessity for parents who are unable or don’t want to breastfeed or have low milk supply.

So, many might be concerned to read Consumer Reports’ (CR) new study, which tested 41 formulas and revealed some formula brands contain “concerning amounts of contaminants,” such as arsenic, lead, PFAS, bisphenol A (BPA), and Acrylamide.

“Contaminated ingredients and contamination during manufacturing are the most likely reasons” for the presence of these unwanted materials, says Sana Mujahid, manager of CR’s food safety and research.

Contaminants in Food

Baby formulas aren’t the only food that have been found to contain dangerous contaminants. CR’s 2023 report found heavy metals in many baby cereals, packaged snacks, and more. Not to mention heavy metals and other concerning additives, such as PFAS and BPA, have been found in many other foods.

But infants can be especially vulnerable to the health effects of these materials, especially when formula is their only food source.

“We’ve known for a while that heavy metals like arsenic and lead can end up in baby formula and other foods; it’s not new information,” says Phil Boucher, MD, a board-certified pediatrician based in Lincoln, Nebraska. “What’s frustrating is that we keep seeing studies confirm that some formulas have detectable levels of these contaminants, while others manage to keep them lower, which tells us [the presence of these contaminants] isn’t unavoidable.”

He references PFAS specifically, which have been found in many foods, water, and soil. He says he’s not surprised PFAS were found in some formulas, but is concerned that nearly all formulas tested by CR contained some level of PFAS. “That’s a signal that we need more oversight on how these chemicals are getting into the food supply,” he says.

Risks of Consuming Contaminants

Heavy metals and contaminants can make their way into food both naturally or from industrial activity. But there are various risks associated with them if consumed in high levels or consistently.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that exposure to high levels of arsenic is “associated with adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ” and children are particularly susceptible to these effects “because of their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth.”

Similarly, the FDA says high levels of exposure to another heavy metal, lead, in infancy and early childhood can lead to learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), warns that exposure to PFAS may lead to reproductive harm, developmental delays, obesity, cancer, immune system issues, and hormone disruption.

Meanwhile, BPA is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone function. It’s been linked to infertility, early puberty, breast and prostate cancer, and metabolic disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Which Infant Formulas Had the Highest Levels of Contaminants?

CR tested 41 different formula products, including those from popular brands like Enfamil and Similac, newer startup manufacturers, as well as European and Australian companies sold in the U.S.

The study sorted formulas into “Top Choices,” “Good Choices,” and “Worse Choices.” The good news is the majority of tested formulas landed in the “Top Choices” or “Good Choices” categories, having no or low levels of all the tested contaminants.

However, CR reported that some results “were concerning,” with some products containing “potentially harmful levels of arsenic and lead,” one containing BPA and Acrylamide, and most containing PFAS.

Mujahid notes that “lead was found more commonly than the other contaminants we tested for.”

The report finds concerning levels in:

• Dr. Brown’s SoothePro
• EleCare Hypoallergenic
• Enfamil Nutramigen
• Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based
• Kabrita Goat Milk-Based
• PurAmino Hypoallergenic
• Similac Alimentum
• Similac NeoSure
• Similac Total Comfort
• Up&Up (Target) Soy

CR reached out to all their parent companies—Perrigo, Abbott Nutrition, Mead Johnson, and Ausnutria—who said they have testing protocols to ensure that any levels found are within regulatory limits. Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson, which also had products appear in the “Top Choices” category, said they never intentional add chemicals or heavy metals to their products. They added that heavy metals in the food supply are not just a baby formula issue.

On a positive note, the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed on March 18, 2025, to “enhance its efforts to ensure the ongoing quality, safety, nutritional adequacy, and resilience of the domestic infant formula supply.”

What To Do if You Use One of the ‘Worse Choices’ Formulas

Dr. Boucher says, if you spot your child’s formula on the “Worst Choices” list on CR’s report, or if your brand has been shown to have concerning levels of contaminants by another trustworthy report, you can switch to a different formula. Switching formulas is perfectly fine to do but always speak with your child’s health care provider before doing so.

He acknowledges that parents who used one of the known contaminated formulas, especially for extended periods, may wonder if they should test their child for high levels. 

“Lead can be checked with a simple blood test, and many pediatricians screen for it around 12 and 24 months if there’s a risk of exposure,” he says. Plus, arsenic and other heavy metals can be measured in blood, urine, or even hair, “but testing is usually only done if there’s a strong reason to suspect exposure.”

As for PFAS and BPA, he says tests aren’t widely available for individual patients. “Most studies look at population-wide exposures rather than individual screening,” he explains.

Still, Dr. Boucher says, if parents are worried, they should talk to their child’s health care provider. He explains: “The bigger focus should be on reducing ongoing exposure rather than reacting to past exposure.”

Never Attempt To Make Your Own Formula

In the wake of this news, CR warns parents against trying to create their own formula. Dr. Boucher says this is an important advisory, as homemade formulas can be dangerous, and even deadly.

“Babies have very specific needs for protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals,” he says. “If one thing is off—say, too much or too little sodium or calcium—it can cause serious health issues, even organ failure.”

He adds that some parents might think they can mix goat’s milk with some vitamins, “But even small mistakes in balancing electrolytes and nutrients can be dangerous for a baby’s kidneys and development.”

Rebekah Diamond, MD, a board-certified pediatrician, assistant professor at Columbia University, and New York City hospitalist, agrees, noting that the composition of nutrients and salts in formula is tightly controlled to make it safe for infants, whose bodies are sensitive to this. 

“For example, having the wrong composition of electrolytes can lead to dangerous imbalances like hyponatremia, which can cause seizures and even be fatal for infants.” 

She adds that “making sure all ingredients are safe and highly regulated, stored correctly, and free of bacterial contamination—which can lead to fatal bloodstream infections—is crucial.”

While CR’s findings might be scary, especially for parents who find their go-to formula on the “Worse Choices” category, Mujahid says the CR team hopes this research is “empowering for parents” and will help them make safer choices.