The U.S. baby food industry has seen its fair share of advocacy and regulatory headlines in recent years. From the congressional investigation1 into levels of heavy metals in top-selling baby foods, to the infant formula recall,2 shortage,3 and the subsequent Operation Fly Formula,4 the media attention has been in full force—and not necessarily in a good way. When it comes to heavy metals, however, changes in regulatory policy and guidance are on the horizon that will hopefully begin to address some of these challenges.
Those not working in the baby food and infant formula category may be surprised to learn that the issue of heavy metals contamination has been percolating in regulatory and consumer advocacy circles for several years. If the attention by baby food consumer advocates, regulatory calls to action, and subsequent rulemaking are any indication of things to come, there are lessons to be learned by the broader food industry.