July 29, 2025
Dr. Joyce Irene Boye
Director General, Food and Nutrition Directorate
Health Canada
joyce.boye@hc-sc.gc.ca
Robin Churchill
Director, Bureau of Chemical Safety
Health Canada
robin.churchill@hc-sc.gc.ca
Sophie Parnel
Section Head Infant Nutrition Team, Nutrition Premarket Assessment Division
Bureau of Nutritional Sciences
Health Canada
sophie.parnel@hc-sc.gc.ca
Evelyn Soo
Executive Director
Food Safety and Consumer Protection Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
evelyn.soo@inspection.gc.ca
Subject: Request for Public Advisory on Contaminants in Infant Formula
Ontario Dietitians in Public Health (ODPH) is reaching out to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to report concerns as a result of the article in Consumer Reports (March 2025) regarding the presence of harmful contaminants in infant formula.
As health professionals working directly with parents and caregivers, we are aware of a decline in consumer confidence due to concerns regarding the safety of infant formula products following this report.
The Issue
- Infant formula is the sole source of nutrition for many infants aged 0-6 months.
- Infants are particularly vulnerable to the impact of contaminant exposure on their growth and development.
- Infant formulas approved for sale in Canada have been identified in Consumer Reports as “products of concern” for the presence of certain contaminants.
- Parents, caregivers and health professionals are questioning the safety of infant formula being sold in Canada.
- Communications from Health Canada on this topic to alleviate contamination safety concerns are lacking.
- The European Commission has set limits for contaminants (e.g., lead, arsenic, cadmium). Compared to European standards, Health Canada’s regulations and monitoring of potential contaminants in infant formula fall short of European standards. Health Canada’s regulations and monitoring of potential contaminants in infant formula are insufficient to support consumer confidence and to protect infant health and safety.
Without Canadian regulations around maximum levels, published reports of current monitoring results, and a public statement from Health Canada addressing concerns identified by Consumer Reports, health professionals have inadequate information to alleviate the public’s concerns.
ODPH requests Health Canada to:
- Publish a public advisory to address public concerns generated by Consumer Reports.
- Establish additional maximum levels for contaminants in infant formula including (but not limited to) acrylamide, arsenic (notably inorganic arsenic), Bisphenol A (BPA), cadmium, and mercury to better align with select limits set out in the European Commission regulations.
- Amend the Food and Drug Regulations and other relevant policy or guidance documents to reflect maximum amounts.
- Enhance monitoring protocols and increase the frequency of testing for infant formula products and better communicate findings to both the public and health professionals.
There is a critical need for strengthened regulatory oversight and enforcement in Canada to safeguard the health of our youngest population from exposure to dietary contaminants. We appreciate your attention to this important matter and look forward to your response to support consumer confidence.
Sincerely,
Luisa Magalhaes, MHSc, RD Paula Ross, MAN, RD
ODPH Executive, Chair ODPH Family Health Nutrition Advisory Group, Chair
