Baby Food Safety Act of 2026

The Baby Food Safety Act of 2026 amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the safety of infant and toddler food by limiting contaminants, requiring testing, and enhancing enforcement. It defines infant or toddler food as food for children up to 24 months, excluding infant formula, and sets new requirements for manufacturers and importers.

Sec. 2, Definition of infant or toddler food: Adds a definition to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for 'infant or toddler food' as food for infants or children up to 24 months, excluding infant formula.

Sec. 3, Contaminants in food, including infant or toddler food: Requires the Secretary to establish limits on lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in infant or toddler food and fruit or vegetable purees or juices by specific deadlines, with a process for public comment and periodic review every four years. Manufacturers must implement sampling and testing plans for these contaminants, maintain records for at least two years or shelf life, and use accredited labs. Foods exceeding limits or failing to comply are deemed adulterated, and noncompliance is a prohibited act.

Sec. 4, Implementation of food traceability plan; study on inspections; reporting on inspections: Directs the Secretary to finalize a plan for compliance with FDA traceability rules by January 2027, including resource needs and education strategies. Requires a study on sufficient inspection frequency for imported foods and a report to Congress within one year. Amends annual reporting to include inspection nature, findings, and importer compliance rates.

Sec. 5, Records for or in lieu of certain inspections: Allows the Secretary to request records remotely from food establishments, including for manufacturing, processing, or importing, in advance or in lieu of in-person inspections when unsafe, at the expense of the person, with a description of requested records.

Sec. 6, Mandatory recall authority: Expands mandatory recall authority to include articles of food adulterated under new provisions for contaminants or noncompliance with testing and recordkeeping requirements.