The FDA's Infant Formula Testing Does Nothing But Appease MAHA Influencers

Two days after the FDA said our country's infant formula stock is safe another recall formula is announced. WTF is going on?

Everyone wants formula to be safer. Of course, if you want babies to have access to the safest ‘food’ source, then the focus should really be improving breastfeeding rates. Nevertheless, the manufacturing process of formula, the lack of oversight and the what seems like countless recalls must make moms who have no choice but to use it extremely cautious.

That’s why when the current administration announced their plan to undergo the biggest analysis and testing that the FDA has ever done, anxious moms (particularly those in green MAHA hats) were hopeful. I mean, what could go wrong? They had formula company execs there to make the announcement with them which they dubbed “Operation Stork Speed”.

wait…..what?

So of course Operation Stork Speed would take into account all the recent recalls that have sickened, hospitalized and even killed babies, right?

Like the 2022 cronobacter outbreak that ended in two deaths and caused a nationwide formula shortage?

Or the unprecedented BOTULISM outbreak that put over 40 babies in the hospital from Byheart formula?

Wait, surely they tested for the contaminant cereulide which was implicated in the outbreaks in January?

No, actually.

The testing focused on MAHA buzz word ‘contaminants’ like lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides (including glyphosate and glufosinate), and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and phthalates.

These are not, in fact, the contaminants that have been implicated in recent recalls that have sickened and hospitalized babies in the past 4 years.

In fact just two days after the FDA declared that the infant formula supply was “safe” and that the “overwhelming majority of samples had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants” there was ANOTHER recall in a2 formula for cereulide.

My soul absolutely leaves my body when I think about the resources, time, and money that the FDA spent “rigorously testing” infant formula to appease MAHA Instagram influencers in a bizarre dog and pony show attempt at appearing like they’re doing something.

And look, I was as hopeful when RFK Jr stood up and pledged his promise to make changes that will make our children healthier. But I knew it was all for show when I saw Laura Modi’s smiling face next to him in his announcement to “overhaul formula”.

What could have actually made changes to infants’ health? Spending that time and money on something that would have actually increased breastfeeding rates.

Perhaps severing the corporate ties between the industry and the government agencies that are supposed to regulate them? HAHAHAHAHAHA jokes.

Maybe all that money you spent on testing for a fake boogeyman in formula could have been used to restore the 89 staffers in the food division of the FDA that occurred in Februrary 2025. I’m sure those people are fucking thrilled their job was cut in order to pay for absoultey useless and pointless testing of baby formula that accomplished nothing. Kewl!

How can we achieve anything in terms of improving infants’ health and also holding formula companies accountable when the literal deputy commissioner of the FDA is Kyle Diamantas? He’s a former Jones Day attorney who defended….wait for it….ABBOTTT LABS (Similac) in a case invovling a baby who suffered brain damage as a result of contaminated formula.

UPDATE: as of 2 days ago, this man is now the new acting FDA commissioner.

Yeah, it’s pretty bleak- but I have hope because we have MOMS who care about babies on our side. As you can see, the government isn’t going to do anything about breastfeeding rates, maternity leave, formula advertising on social media, or making formula safe.

WE GOT THE MOMS

YOU ARE. MOMS ARE. So let this be a wake up call and renewed motivation to keep fighting.

How do you feel about the FDA “baby formula” testing?