Legislative record
Food safety: infant formula.
Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, provides for the regulation of various subjects relating to the manufacturing, processing, labeling, advertising, and sale of food, drugs, and cosmetics, under the administration and enforcement of the State Department of Public Health. A violation of these provisions is punishable as a misdemeanor. This bill would require a manufacturer of infant formula for sale or distribution in this state to test its final infant formula product for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at least once per month. The bill also would, commencing on January 1, 2028, require a brand owner, as defined, to provide information to consumers on its internet website or package label regarding specific information about its infant formula that includes, among other things, certain test results for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The bill would specifically prohibit a person from selling in the state or manufacturing, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in the state any infant formula that does not comply with these requirements. The bill would require the manufacturer and brand owner to provide test results to the department upon request, as specified. By expanding the requirements relating to infant formula under the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, the violation of which would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.