Bill > HR9949

This bill, known as the Safe Baby Formula Act of 2026, mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) conduct a comprehensive study within one year of enactment to investigate the effects of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead found in infant formula on the health of infants. Furthermore, within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of HHS must establish evidence-based "action levels," which are essentially maximum permissible amounts, for these toxic metals in infant formula, taking into account the practicality of manufacturers meeting these standards, the ability of HHS to enforce them for both domestic and imported products, and the potential impact on the nation's food supply. The bill also clarifies that "infant formula" refers to the definition provided in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a key piece of legislation governing food and drug safety in the United States.