Consumer Reports published a report on the levels of heavy metals in U.S. infant formulas. In response, we want to share some important information with parents regarding the report.

Key Takeaways:

• First and foremost, Abbott’s Similac infant formulas are safe, and parents can use them confidently.
• The results reported by Consumer Reports for our infant formulas meet the regulations for heavy metals already set by the European Commission and Health Canada. FDA is currently developing limits for infant formula in the U.S.
• Abbott has a multi-step quality process for heavy metals to ensure that levels are below the relevant regulatory requirements in the countries we serve.

Here’s additional information about heavy metals and the data in the report.

Occurrence of Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment, including in the soil, water, or air where foods are grown.  As a result, they are present in low levels in almost anything we eat or drink, including in baby food, all brands of infant formula, fruits and vegetables, and human breast milk.

Commitment to Safety and Quality

The results reported by Consumer Reports for our infant formulas meet the regulations for heavy metals already imposed by the European Commission and Health Canada.

The levels of heavy metals that Consumer Reports detected in Abbott’s formulas are very low—just a few parts per billion. To put that in perspective, a single ppb equals a single grain of sand in 730 pounds of sand.

Consumer Reports’ use of drinking water standards as a comparison for powdered infant formula is inappropriate.  Powdered infant formula is diluted before it is consumed; drinking water is not.  If this were an apples-to-apples comparison to prepared infant formula, dilution would decrease the results reported by Consumer Reports by as much as six to eight times.

Although the U.S. has not yet set levels for heavy metals in infant formula, we support the U.S. FDA’s “Closer to Zero” initiative and are confident that our products will comply with the levels FDA puts in place. 

Approach to Heavy Metals

Abbott has a multi-step quality process for heavy metals to ensure that levels are below the relevant regulatory requirements in the countries we serve. This begins with only working with suppliers that pass our supplier qualification program. 

In addition, individual ingredients that we believe may contain trace heavy metals (due to absorption from the natural environment) are tested during the qualification process before we approve them for use in our products.  

We also have an ongoing surveillance testing program after the qualification process designed to periodically test samples of ingredients and finished products to ensure that our supplier and ingredient qualification process is working as intended. 

Abbott proudly makes Similac infant formulas for our families and yours too. Parents can continue to use them with confidence.