Consumer Reports Tests 49 Baby Formulas for Heavy Metals—Here's What Parents Found

Consumer Reports' latest testing of 49 infant formulas revealed that 26 contained heavy metal contaminants at potentially concerning levels, though many safe, affordable options remain available for families. The investigation tested ready-to-feed, concentrated, powdered, hypoallergenic, and specialty formulas—including soy-milk and goat-milk-based alternatives—for lead and arsenic, two heavy metals that can harm infant development.

What Did Consumer Reports Find in Baby Formulas?

Among the formulas tested, one-third of liquid and ready-to-feed formulas landed on Consumer Reports' list of top choices, with contaminant levels that were either very low or not detected at all. Over half of the powdered formulas tested also qualified as top choices for low or undetected contaminant levels. This means that despite the concerning findings, parents still have plenty of safer options to choose from.

The testing builds on Consumer Reports' previous investigation in March 2025, which found lead and arsenic in several powdered infant formulas, as well as bisphenol A and acrylamide in one formula. The new round of testing was prompted by reader requests to evaluate liquid formulas and more alternative-protein options.

Why Are Heavy Metals Showing Up in Baby Formula?

Lead and arsenic are unfortunately common in our food supply and environment because they originate naturally in the Earth's crust and can also result from industrial processes. Arsenic, for example, can make its way into crops through groundwater and soil contamination, particularly from fracking and pesticide manufacturing. These contaminants have even been found in studies of breast milk, underscoring how widespread environmental pollution affects infant nutrition sources.

The concerning part is that infant formula is one of the most strictly regulated foods on the market, yet environmental and process contamination still occurs. "The levels we found are not high enough to present an immediate health hazard or concern," explains James E. Rogers, PhD, Consumer Reports' director of product and food safety research and testing. "We use the most protective standards in our testing for three reasons: First, we are concerned about infants' long-term exposure to these contaminants. Second, there's a possibility that your baby might encounter lead and arsenic from other sources. And finally, the fact that some levels in our tests are lower than others—and many are nondetectable—shows that it is possible to make safer formula, and we want to encourage lawmakers and industry to do everything possible to make that happen."

How to Choose a Safer Baby Formula for Your Infant

• Check Consumer Reports' Top Choices: Look for formulas that landed on Consumer Reports' list of top choices, which identified brands with very low or undetectable contaminant levels. Among the brands mentioned are Bobbie, Earth's Best, Enfamil, and Similac, which had formulas in the top-choice category.
• Consider WIC-Approved Options: Many of the safer formulas identified in testing are available through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), making them accessible and affordable for eligible families.
• Evaluate Formula Type: The testing showed that safer options exist across multiple formula types, including powdered, ready-to-feed, concentrated, hypoallergenic, and specialty formulas like soy-milk and goat-milk-based options, so you have flexibility in choosing what works best for your baby.

What's Being Done to Improve Formula Safety?

In response to Consumer Reports' initial findings in March 2025, regulators pledged to ramp up oversight and increase testing of ingredients and finished products. The Food and Drug Administration announced its Operation Stork Speed campaign the day after Consumer Reports shared its initial findings. However, the latest round of testing indicates there is still room for improvement, despite these industry and government promises.

One alarming recent development was the 2025 ByHeart recall for botulism, which exposed shortcomings in some formula manufacturers' safety processes. Additionally, quiet cuts to staffing and budgets at the Food and Drug Administration have the potential to weaken oversight even further, raising concerns about the agency's ability to protect infants from contamination.

Experts emphasize that manufacturers have significant control over safety measures. "It's understood that there's really a lot under their control [that they can do] to protect their consumers, who are extremely vulnerable babies, like comprehensive rigorous screening for heavy metals, implementing strict internal standards, and clear transparency to consumers," says Hannah Gardener, an associate professor in the department of neurology at the University of Miami who has researched heavy metal contamination in infant formulas.

Should Parents Be Concerned About Current Formula Safety?

While the findings are concerning, it's important to understand that all the formulas tested by Consumer Reports are safe to feed your baby. The contaminant levels detected, even in the formulas flagged as having higher levels, are not high enough to present an immediate health hazard. However, Consumer Reports used the most protective standards available because of concerns about long-term exposure, especially since infants may encounter lead and arsenic from other sources as well.

The fact that some formulas had significantly lower contaminant levels than others demonstrates that manufacturers can produce safer products. This variation suggests that continued pressure from public awareness and regulatory oversight can drive the industry toward better safety practices. As one expert notes, increased public attention to longstanding problems can be just what forces change with those who have the power to fix these issues.