Aluminum in Infant Formula: What FDA's 2026 Testing Found

The short answer

FDA's 2026 mini market basket survey tested 134 powdered infant formulas and found heavy metals very low or undetectable; it also measured aluminum to set a baseline [1]. In FDA's data table, all 15 soy-based samples had detectable aluminum, ranging from 1,868 to 5,737 ppb as sold, higher than most cow-milk and goat-milk samples [2]. FDA's page sets no aluminum limit and presents the data as baseline monitoring [1]. Results are for dry powder, before mixing with water [1].

Do not switch formulas based on these numbers alone. Talk to your pediatrician before changing formula. This is general information, not medical advice.

What did FDA test in 2026?

Two new surveys, released October 29, 2026 [1][4]. The 2026 mini market basket survey covered 134 powdered formulas sold at U.S. retail, across cow-milk, soy, and goat-milk proteins and routine, extensively hydrolyzed, and amino acid-based types, tested for arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum [1]. The 2025 supplemental survey covered 104 powdered formulas from domestic and foreign brands newer to the U.S. market, tested for heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS, phthalates, thallium, and 3-MCPD/glycidyl esters [1]. FDA also launched an Infant Formula Chemical Contaminants Dashboard [1][3].

These add to FDA's 312-sample 2023-2025 market basket survey, which we compared with Consumer Reports' testing in infant formula heavy metals: FDA vs Consumer Reports.

How much aluminum was in each type of formula?

Soy-based powders were consistently highest. The table below summarizes FDA's 134-sample aluminum table by protein type; medians are our calculation from FDA's detected results [2]:

Formula type (powder, as sold)	Samples	Below detection	Detected range (ppb)	Median of detected (ppb)
Soy-based	15	0	1,868 to 5,737	2,348
Cow milk-based	110	5	89 to 4,787	499
Goat milk-based	7	1	154 to 332	196
Amino acid-based	2	0	517 and 783	n/a

FDA's limit of detection for this method was 86.8 ppb and its limit of quantitation 255.9 ppb; results between the two are trace values [2]. Six of the 134 samples were below the detection limit [2]. Cow-milk results spanned a wide range, so a single brand's level cannot be inferred from its protein type [2].

Why is aluminum in formula at all?

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is naturally present in soil, water, air, and many foods, FDA says, so low levels in formula are "not unexpected" [1]. FDA tested it "to better understand baseline levels in infant formula" as part of ongoing safety monitoring [1]. FDA's data release does not identify the source of aluminum in individual products [1][2].

Is there a legal limit for aluminum in infant formula?

FDA's testing page does not set or propose one [1]. Its Closer to Zero action-level work lists lead, cadmium, and arsenic for baby foods, and FDA says it is working toward action levels for certain chemical contaminants in infant formula [5][4]. For the current baby-food action levels, see Closer to Zero roadmap 2026.

What does "as sold" mean for these numbers?

FDA reports powdered formula results on the dry powder, not the bottle [1]. Powder is mixed with about 7 parts water before feeding, so levels "as prepared" are much lower; FDA's own example is a powder at 15 ppb arsenic as sold becoming about 2.1 ppb as prepared [1]. Ready-to-feed liquids are tested directly, so as-sold powder and liquid numbers are not directly comparable [1].

What did the 104-sample supplemental survey find?

Mostly low or no detections. FDA reported [1]:

• Heavy metals: arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury very low or undetectable.
• Pesticides: none of 318 pesticides, including glyphosate, found in any sample.
• PFAS: 29 of 30 compounds not found in any sample.
• Phthalates: not detected in 72 of 104 samples (69%); DEHA in 20 (19%) and DINP in 12 (12%).
• Thallium: not detected in 98 of 104 (94%); the other 6 had very low levels.
• 3-MCPD esters in 102 of 104 (98%) and glycidyl esters in 34 (33%); FDA says levels have decreased since 2013.

FDA notes that the presence of a contaminant at low amounts does not necessarily mean a product is unsafe, and that it will act if it finds unsafe levels [1]. Formula safety is also microbiological: see infant botulism formula outbreaks. For nutrient rules, see FDA infant formula nutrient requirements 2026.

FAQ

Does soy formula have more aluminum than cow-milk formula?

In FDA's 2026 table, every soy sample had detectable aluminum between 1,868 and 5,737 ppb as sold, while cow-milk samples ranged from below detection to 4,787 ppb [2]. Ask your pediatrician before changing formula.

Should I stop using soy formula?

FDA has not advised that. It described the aluminum data as baseline monitoring [1]. Soy formula is used for specific reasons, so make any change with your pediatrician.

Can I see results for my brand?

FDA's data tables use simplified product labels rather than brand names [2]. The FDA-TRACK dashboard shows heavy-metal results from its surveys [3].

Were heavy metals a problem in the new tests?

No. FDA reported arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury very low or undetectable in both 2026 releases [1].

Is infant formula covered by California's AB 899?

No. AB 899 covers baby food and excludes infant formula [6]. Formula data come from FDA surveys and independent testing.

References

1. U.S. FDA, FDA's Testing of Infant Formula (2025 supplemental survey and 2026 mini market basket survey).
2. U.S. FDA, Analytical Results for Aluminum in Infant Formula (FY2026), 2026 Mini Market Basket Survey (data table, PDF).
3. U.S. FDA, FDA-TRACK: Infant Formula Chemical Contaminants Dashboard.
4. U.S. HHS, FDA Updates Infant Formula Standards for the First Time in Nearly 30 Years (October 29, 2026).
5. U.S. FDA, Closer to Zero: Reducing Childhood Exposure to Heavy Metals from Foods.
6. California Department of Justice, Enforcement Advisory: Assembly Bill 899 – Food Safety: Baby Food (March 6, 2026).