The Baby Food Safety Act of 2026 aims to significantly enhance the safety of food for infants and toddlers by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It specifically defines "infant or toddler food" as food for children up to 24 months, excluding infant formula. A core provision mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the FDA, to establish administrative orders setting limits for toxic elements including lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in infant or toddler food and in food predominantly composed of fruit or vegetable purees or juices. These limits must be based on relevant health data and assessments, considering differences among food types and the extent to which such substances cannot be avoided using best manufacturing and agricultural practices. The bill sets specific deadlines for the FDA to issue proposed and final orders for these toxic elements, with all final orders due by late 2029. Food found to contain contaminants exceeding these established limits will be deemed adulterated , and the FDA is required to review these limits at least every four years. Furthermore, the legislation imposes new requirements on facilities that manufacture or process infant or toddler food. These facilities must implement control programs, collect representative samples, and conduct quarterly testing of final products for specified toxic elements and other contaminants. They are also required to maintain detailed records of their sampling and testing plans and results for at least two years, with testing performed by accredited laboratories. The bill also strengthens FDA's enforcement capabilities. Non-compliance with the new sampling, testing, or recordkeeping requirements will constitute a prohibited act, and the FDA gains mandatory recall authority for food adulterated under these new provisions. Additionally, the Act directs the FDA to finalize a food traceability implementation plan, study the sufficiency of imported food inspections, and expand reporting on inspection findings to ensure consistent safety standards. Finally, it grants the Secretary expanded authority to request records from facilities in advance of, or in lieu of, in-person inspections, particularly when an in-person inspection would be unsafe. This aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory oversight in ensuring food safety.