Baby Food Safety Act of 2024

The Baby Food Safety Act of 2024 establishes the first federal limits on toxic elements like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in infant and toddler food (food for children up to age 2). It requires manufacturers to implement testing programs for these contaminants, maintain detailed records of testing for at least two years, and conduct environmental monitoring for pathogens in production facilities. The bill sets specific deadlines for establishing these limits (lead and arsenic by December 2025, cadmium by April 2026, mercury by April 2028) and defines foods exceeding limits as adulterated. This legislation directly affects manufacturers of infant and toddler food, facilities processing certain fruit and vegetable purees, and food importers. The requirements for testing and recordkeeping will begin two years after the bill's enactment.