WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging HHS to establish comprehensive, enforceable standards for toxic heavy metals in infant formula and baby food. The letter cites years of scientific evidence linking early-life exposure to toxic heavy metals with serious developmental harms and calls on HHS to take the regulatory action necessary to better protect America's children.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi notes that new research demonstrates scientists can use baby teeth to trace early-life exposure to toxic metals and link those exposures to measurable differences in brain development and later behavioral outcomes. The findings come five years after Krishnamoorthi's congressional investigation first exposed dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food.

Krishnamoorthi writes:

"Five years after my congressional investigation first exposed dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food, the scientific case for action has only grown stronger while HHS's failure to act has become increasingly indefensible. In April, researchers demonstrated a new approach that enables scientists to trace early-life exposure to toxic metals and link those exposures to measurable differences in brain development and later behavioral outcomes. As the scientific evidence has grown stronger, the justification for continued federal delay has grown weaker. HHS can no longer justify studying a problem that demands regulatory action."

On the consequences of continued inaction, Krishnamoorthi writes:

"Infants and young children are uniquely vulnerable to heavy metal exposure because their brains and bodies are developing rapidly, and even low levels of exposure can have lifelong consequences. Parents should be able to trust that the food they feed their children is safe. Every day HHS delays establishing comprehensive, enforceable protections is another day millions of American families are left without the safeguards they deserve."

Krishnamoorthi requested responses to the following questions no later than July 16, 2026:

1. Since January 20, 2025, what actions has HHS taken to reduce heavy metal contamination in infant formula and baby food, including developing comprehensive, enforceable standards?
2. What additional regulatory or other actions does HHS plan to take to reduce infants' and young children's exposure to toxic heavy metals, and on what timeline?
3. If HHS does not intend to establish comprehensive, enforceable standards for toxic heavy metals in infant formula and baby food, what is the scientific, legal, and policy basis for that decision?
4. Why has HHS not provided the briefing requested in my February 25, 2025, letter, and when will it do so?
5. What scientific studies, risk assessments, and other evidence has HHS relied upon since January 20, 2025, in determining whether additional federal action is warranted?

The full text of the letter is available here.