FDA calls for “radical transparency” in infant formula recalls

The US FDA is urging the nutrition industry to improve product recall communications to better protect infants’ and children’s well-being. In its letter, addressed to manufacturers, packers, distributors, exporters, importers, and retailers, the agency seeks to bring greater transparency to chemical contaminants in infant and toddler food products.

The FDA points to improving communications to keep up with developments in production and distribution channels. 

“Today I am asking food industry leaders to join me in my commitment to radical transparency, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of infants and children,” says FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. 

“Protecting our most vulnerable is not just a moral duty — it is our responsibility. For many children, infant formula is their only source of nutrition. That’s why it’s vital that we use every tool at our disposal to enhance recall communication about these products and other foods for children.”

FDA seeks support

The letter intends to gain support from industry leaders and support the FDA’s efforts, including Operation Stork Speed and the FDA Expert Panel on Infant Formula.

“By issuing this letter, we are taking concrete steps to help protect our nation’s children. We look forward to working with industry to increase public awareness of recalls involving infant formula, baby foods, and other foods intended for children,” says FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas. 

“We will also be creating a centralized, consumer-oriented webpage on FDA.gov focused on these products, ensuring that parents and caregivers can easily access the information necessary to protect the health and well-being of their kids.”

According to the FDA, recent efforts to increase public-private partnerships will enable parents and caregivers to access more information on the foods they provide to their children and generations to come.

In May, the FDA announced it was seeking public comments on whether current infant nutrient requirements should be updated based on the latest scientific data.

Infant formula safety

Previously, experts warned that the US FDA is failing to protect infant formula safety, citing inaction on toxic contaminants, nano ingredients, and regulatory conflicts of interest. Nutrition Insight spoke to the Center for Food Safety and the Alliance for Natural Health to hear their concerns and examine solutions following staff cuts at the agency.

Jaydee Hanson, policy director at the Center for Food Safety, told us: “An FDA advisory committee was to make a report on how formula companies can ensure that microbes and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic are not in formula. That committee has been shut down.”

“The new FDA administrator for food safety, Kyle Diamantas, used to work for Abbott Laboratories, fighting against parents of infants made ill from pathogens in Abbott’s formula.”

Hanson also told us that the FDA is not responding to the Center for Food Safety’s nano-chemical petition.