This bill defines "infant and toddler food" as food for children up to 24 months, including infant formula. It requires facilities that make or process such foods to collect representative samples and test finished products for contaminants (including lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic) at least once each calendar quarter. Facilities must prepare written sampling plans and follow test methods. The Secretary must issue guidance to help develop sampling plans within 18 months. Testing must be done by internationally accredited laboratories. Records of sampling and testing must be kept for at least 2 years or the product shelf-life, whichever is longer, and made available to the Secretary on request. The bill expands mandatory recall authority to cover infant and toddler foods (other than infant formula) found to be adulterated by contaminants.
The bill also strengthens requirements for infant formula: manufacturers must notify the Secretary within 24 hours if testing confirms an environmental pathogen in processed infant formula, consult with the Secretary on disposal, and provide test results and isolates. Powdered infant formula manufacturers must implement written environmental monitoring programs for Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella, including requirements on sampling locations, sample numbers, timing, and recordkeeping. Many requirements take effect 180 days after related guidance is published.
If you buy or use foods for children under 24 months, the bill would require more routine testing and recordkeeping by manufacturers to look for toxic elements and certain pathogens. For powdered infant formula, manufacturers would be required to monitor their production environment for Cronobacter and Salmonella. The Secretary of Health would have expanded access to testing records and stronger recall authority for contaminated infant and toddler foods.
No publicly available information.
The bill is presented as a measure to ensure the safety of infant and toddler food by requiring routine sampling, testing, environmental monitoring, and stronger record access and recall tools to protect young children from contaminants and pathogens.
No publicly available information.