The "INFANTS Act of 2025" aims to significantly enhance the safety of infant and toddler food by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It defines "infant and toddler food" to include all food for children up to 24 months, including infant formula. A central provision requires food facilities to conduct mandatory quarterly testing of these products for contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, using accredited laboratories and detailed sampling plans. Facilities must maintain comprehensive records of this sampling and testing for at least two years, making them readily available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services upon request, even in advance of inspections. Failure to comply with these testing and recordkeeping requirements would render the food product adulterated . The bill also grants the Secretary new mandatory recall authority for contaminated infant and toddler food, excluding infant formula, if it poses a health risk. For infant formula specifically, the bill strengthens safety protocols by requiring manufacturers to notify the Secretary within 24 hours of confirming any positive analytical result for environmental pathogens in in-process or finished products. Manufacturers must also consult with the Secretary for proper disposal and provide test results. Furthermore, powdered infant formula manufacturers must establish and implement environmental monitoring programs for Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella to ensure effective sanitation and hygiene controls.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Agriculture and Food
INFANTS Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2472| House
| Updated: 3/27/2025
The "INFANTS Act of 2025" aims to significantly enhance the safety of infant and toddler food by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It defines "infant and toddler food" to include all food for children up to 24 months, including infant formula. A central provision requires food facilities to conduct mandatory quarterly testing of these products for contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, using accredited laboratories and detailed sampling plans. Facilities must maintain comprehensive records of this sampling and testing for at least two years, making them readily available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services upon request, even in advance of inspections. Failure to comply with these testing and recordkeeping requirements would render the food product adulterated . The bill also grants the Secretary new mandatory recall authority for contaminated infant and toddler food, excluding infant formula, if it poses a health risk. For infant formula specifically, the bill strengthens safety protocols by requiring manufacturers to notify the Secretary within 24 hours of confirming any positive analytical result for environmental pathogens in in-process or finished products. Manufacturers must also consult with the Secretary for proper disposal and provide test results. Furthermore, powdered infant formula manufacturers must establish and implement environmental monitoring programs for Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella to ensure effective sanitation and hygiene controls.