FDA Announces 'Operation Stork Speed' to Improve Infant Formula
By Stephanie Brown HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, March 20, 2025 -- In an effort to guarantee "the ongoing quality, safety, nutritional adequacy, and resilience of the domestic infant formula supply," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a new program called Operation Stork Speed.
The program sets forth several actions and initiatives regarding infant formula: starting the nutrient review process, increasing testing for heavy metals and contaminants, encouraging companies to develop new formulas, and clarifying ways to better inform consumers about formula ingredients.
To begin the process, the FDA will issue a Request for Information in the coming months to start the first comprehensive update and review of infant formula nutrients by the agency since 1998. Following that, the agency will increase testing for heavy metals and other contaminants, both in infant formula and other foods consumed by children. The FDA will also extend the personal importation policy.
Formula companies will be encouraged to proactively engage with the FDA to address questions, focusing on increased transparency and clearer labeling practices. The agency will maintain open lines of communication with consumers and industry stakeholders and provide regular updates on significant developments.
Finally, the FDA will collaborate with the National Institutes of Health and other scientific organizations to address critical gaps in scientific research concerning the short- and long-term health outcomes linked to formula feeding during infancy and childhood.
"The FDA is deeply committed to ensuring that moms and other caregivers of infants and young children and other individuals who rely on infant formula for their nutritional needs have confidence that these products are safe, consistently available, and contain the nutrients essential to promote health and well-being during critical stages of development and life," Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement. "Whether breastfed, bottle fed or both, the rising generation must be nourished in a way that promotes health and longevity over the course of their lives."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted March 2025
Read this next
Maternal Anemia in Early Pregnancy May Increase Risk for Congenital Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2025 -- Maternal anemia in early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring, according to a study...
Recent Years Saw Increase in U.S. Pregnancy-Related Deaths
FRIDAY, April 18, 2025 -- During 2018 to 2022, pregnancy-related deaths in the United States increased, according to a study published online April 9 in JAMA Network Open. Yingxi...
Twins Have Less Fat Accumulation Than Singletons Beginning in Early Pregnancy
THURSDAY, April 17, 2025 -- Twins have proportionally less fat tissue accumulation in utero compared with singletons as early as 15 weeks of gestation, according to a study...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.