Parents trust that the formula they feed their babies is safe.
That trust just got shattered.
And Ron DeSantis just exposed one disturbing truth about baby formula that has parents fuming.
Florida becomes first state to independently test infant formula
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced something Friday that should have every parent in America asking questions.
The state tested 24 infant formulas purchased from stores and online retailers across Florida.
The results were alarming — 16 of those formulas contained heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, cadmium, or lead above federal safety standards.
"The Florida Department of Health tested 24 infant formula products widely available in Florida and found elevated levels of heavy metals like mercury in 16, pointing to systemic problems in sourcing or manufacturing," Casey DeSantis said during the announcement in Bartow.
https://twitter.com/FLVoiceNews/status/2009655231701733754?s=20
Mercury turned up most frequently — appearing at dangerous levels in 16 different formulas.
Arsenic exceeded federal limits in five formulas, cadmium in three, and lead in two.
Here's the part that proves this isn't just bad luck — six formulas tested positive for elevated metals in every single sample the state bought from different stores and websites across Florida.
That's not a random contamination problem.
That's baked into how these companies make their products.
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo didn't mince words about the danger.
"Mercury is probably one of the most toxic things that you can put into a person's body," Ladapo stated.
Babies face the worst risk because their developing brains and organs can't handle these toxins the way adult bodies can.
Ladapo explained the metals attack multiple systems — causing brain damage, wrecking immune function, and destroying kidneys and livers.
https://twitter.com/FLVoiceNews/status/2009657336147677522?s=20
The formulas parents trusted failed the test
Similac Soy Isomil powder tested worst — containing all four heavy metals above federal limits.
Two other major brands also had three toxins detected: Enfamil Prosobee and Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use.
These are brands sitting on store shelves right now that millions of parents have fed their babies.
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins shared that his own medically complex child depended on formula to survive.
Collins expressed concern as a father that some brands his family once used are now showing contamination problems in the state's testing.
The state launched a new website showing which formulas exceeded EPA daily limits for safe drinking water — a standard Florida applied because "babies drink it."
https://twitter.com/LtGovJayCollins/status/2009769453878186097?s=20
The site uses red indicators to flag problem products so parents can make informed decisions.
But here's what should make every American angry.
While manufacturers are required by federal law to test for bacteria like Salmonella, there's no mandate for consistent chemical and heavy metal testing before products hit shelves.
Florida just exposed that gap — and it's putting babies at risk.
DeSantis demands accountability from formula manufacturers
Governor DeSantis made it clear this is about transparency over corporate profits.
"We just want transparency and the truth, and we want people to be able to make the best decision for them," DeSantis said. "Not necessarily what would be in the best interest of some manufacturer."
Casey DeSantis called on other states to launch their own testing programs.
"Florida now is the first state in the nation stepping into the fold as a major force multiplier to test, to keep testing, to ensure that these chemicals do not exceed federal standards," she explained.
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/2009770543705178129?s=20
The findings came through Florida's "Make America Healthy Again" Commission, led by the First Lady and Collins.
The commission is working with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to expand formula options available under the federal WIC program.
That way families who rely on WIC can switch to safer products without taking a financial hit.
Dr. Ladapo pointed out something that should embarrass every other state government in America.
"It's also an odd thing that here we are in Florida, every state is capable of doing this, and right now we're the only people doing this," Ladapo said. "We need more people, more states doing this because our citizens depend on government for certain specific things that individuals can't easily supply. And this is one of those things."
The state's testing mirrors a recent Consumer Reports investigation that found about half of 41 powdered formulas contained concerning levels of at least one contaminant.
But some results differed — Similac Soy Isomil tested clean in Consumer Reports but showed heavy metals in Florida's testing.
That raises questions about testing methods and whether contamination levels vary by location or production batch.
DeSantis confirmed infant formula is just the beginning.
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/2009732596255584640?s=20
Florida is testing other food products and will release more findings in the coming weeks.
"We are not going to stop at baby formula," DeSantis stated. "Parents should not be expected to verify the integrity of their products."
One mother whose son was diagnosed with autism at age 2.5 said the findings don't surprise her.
"They're relating it to the heavy metals and everything," Shelby Vaillancourt told reporters.
For years, parents have been told to trust that formula is safe and strictly regulated.
Florida just proved that trust was misplaced — and Governor DeSantis is demanding answers.
Sources:
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, "Florida Releases Infant Formula Test Results Under Healthy Florida First," Governor's Press Office, January 9, 2026.
- Skyler Shepard, "Florida finds 'very bad' contaminants in some baby formulas, launches new testing site," CBS12, January 9, 2026.
- Rebecca Petit, "DeSantis administration unveils early test results on baby formulas, raising new concerns," WPTV, January 9, 2026.
- Katelyn Ferral, "Florida says it found toxins in infant formula, but provides no data," Tampa Bay Times, January 9, 2026.
- Michelle Vecerina, "Florida first state to test infant formula; heavy metals found in many samples," Florida News, January 9, 2026.
