Washington — The U.S. government is focused on making infant formula safer and more nutritious. On March 18, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced through a press release the launch of the "Stork Speed" operation, a plan aimed at improving the quality, safety, and availability of infant formula.
Increased Focus on Nutrients and Contaminants
For the first time since 1998, the FDA will update the nutritional requirements for infant formula, aligning them with new scientific knowledge. The goal is to ensure that children receive all the essential nutrients for growth.
In addition to the update, there will be an increase in testing for heavy metals and contaminants. The FDA wants to ensure that harmful substances do not appear in formulas, which could pose risks to infant development.
More Transparency and Simplified Access
In addition to inspections, the plan includes:
- Clearer Labels to help parents understand exactly what they are feeding their children.
- Easier Imports to avoid shortages and ensure a stable supply of safe products.
- More Scientific Research, in collaboration with the NIH, to study the effects of infant formula on child health.
"The safety and well-being of children are our top priority," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of HHS. "We will use all available tools to ensure that infants receive only the best."
The FDA Interim Commissioner, Sara Brenner, also emphasized the importance of the initiative: "Whether a child is breastfed or bottle-fed, they must have access to safe, high-quality food."
What is Stork Speed?
The term "Stork Speed" combines "Stork" (cicogna) and "Speed" (velocità), drawing on the image of the stork delivering newborns, symbolizing the goal of ensuring rapid delivery of high-quality infant formula to families.
The key actions include:
- Review of Nutrients: Updating and reviewing the nutritional requirements of infant formula, starting with an information request in the coming months. This represents the first full review since 1998.
- Increased Controls: Increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in infant formula and other foods consumed by children to ensure maximum safety.
- Support for Innovation: Encouraging companies to develop new infant formulas and providing guidance for greater transparency and clarity in ingredient labeling, helping consumers make informed choices.
- Scientific Collaboration: Collaborating with research institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fill gaps in research on the short- and long-term effects of infant formula feeding.
These initiatives are part of the HHS and FDA's commitment to ensuring that infant formula is safe, nutritious, and available for all families in need.
Glossary
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration): A U.S. federal agency that regulates food, drugs, and medical devices, ensuring their safety and effectiveness.
- HHS (Department of Health and Human Services): A U.S. government department responsible for health policies and public health protection.
- NIH (National Institutes of Health): A U.S. biomedical research agency that funds scientific studies on health and medicine.
- Heavy Metals: Substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can be harmful to health, especially in infants.
- Contaminants: Undesired substances present in food or products that may pose a health risk.
- Infant Formula: A breast milk alternative made from specific ingredients designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants.
- Labeling: Information on food packaging that helps consumers make informed choices.
- Food Safety: A set of standards and controls to ensure that food is free from health risks.
- "Stork Speed" Operation: The FDA plan to improve the quality and safety of infant formula, updating nutritional requirements and strengthening controls.
