The Baby Food Protection Act (House Bill 1844, Va. Code § 3.2-5125.1) originally passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2025, went into effect January 1, 2026. This law requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for four toxic chemicals—lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Companies are required to post test results on their websites and, when applicable, include a scannable QR code on product labels so caregivers can easily access the results. Baby foods that exceed maximum levels set by the Food and Drug Administration will not be allowed to be manufactured or sold in Virginia. This law does not apply to formulas.
Why This Matters
Infants are more susceptible to heavy metal concentrations due to their smaller size, metabolism, and developing brains. Studies show that exposure to high levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury can negatively affect infant development and health.
While some exposure to these elements occurs because they are naturally found in soil and water, laws like the Baby Food Protection Act help reduce avoidable sources of exposure in baby food and empower caregivers to choose what they feed their infants with all necessary information available to them.
Food Safety at Home
Food and Milk Storage
Beyond watching for heavy metals, safe handling and storage of baby food helps keep your little one healthy and happy. Here’s what to know. Follow safe storage timelines to prevent food and milk spoiling and keep your infant safe from foodborne illnesses.
- Food Storage
- Don’t leave opened baby food or bottles at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Once opened, purees (fruits & veggies) are generally good for 2–3 days in the fridge and 8 months in the freezer. Foods containing meats are safe in the fridge for 1–2 days, and the freezer for 1-2 months.
- Formula & Milk Storage
- Fresh pumped milk can stay in the fridge for up to 4 days and the freezer for 12 months. Prepared formula bottles last 2 days in the fridge and shouldn’t go in the freezer.
Safe Diets
While the Baby Food Protection Act increases transparency, parents can also take steps at home to reduce exposure to heavy metals and other risks:
- Diversify your baby’s diet. Different foods include different potential sources of heavy metals, so diversifying the foods an infant eats helps avoid high concentrations of any single metal.
- Store-bought baby food is safe, but making baby food at home lets you control all the ingredients. If preparing food yourself, it’s best to wash root vegetables, (e.g. carrots) and wash all produce thoroughly to reduce surface contaminants, which may include heavy metals.
The Baby Food Protection Act is another step towards healthier infants and stronger families as it gives caregivers the ability to make better informed choices about what they feed their infants. Combined with safe storage and diet, parents and caregivers can help ensure their infant is as nourished and safe as possible.