RFK Jr. and FDA Launch 'Operation Stork Speed' to Enhance Baby Formula Safety
In a significant move to safeguard infant health, the Trump administration has launched ‘Operation Stork Speed,’ a comprehensive initiative led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the FDA to ensure the safety and quality of baby formula in the U.S.
The initiative, announced on Tuesday, aims to address past issues such as the 2022 baby formula shortage under the Biden administration, which was triggered by a recall from a major manufacturer due to bacterial contamination. The recall, coupled with supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitated emergency airlifts of formula from abroad. ‘Operation Stork Speed’ is designed to prevent such crises by enhancing the oversight and regulation of baby formula products.
Key components of ‘Operation Stork Speed’ include a thorough nutrient review—the first since 1998—to update and verify the nutritional content of infant formulas. Additionally, the FDA plans to increase testing for heavy metals and other contaminants, addressing concerns raised by recent studies. A report by Consumer Reports tested 41 types of baby formula and found that approximately half contained potentially harmful levels of contaminants, with Abbott Laboratories’ products among those flagged.
Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring that infant formula is safe, consistently available, and nutritionally complete. ‘The FDA is deeply committed to ensuring that moms and other caregivers of infants and young children have confidence that these products are safe,’ Brenner stated.
The initiative follows a meeting between Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and executives from major baby formula manufacturers, indicating a collaborative approach to improving product standards. In response to the announcement, Scott Stoffel, a spokesperson for Abbott Laboratories, expressed support for the initiative, stating, ‘We look forward to working with the Secretary, the FDA, and the scientific and medical communities to continue to make infant formulas even closer to breast milk and support the aims of Operation Stork Speed.’
This new initiative marks a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to enhance the safety and quality of baby formula, reflecting the administration’s dedication to public health under the leadership of RFK Jr.