Baby Food Protection Act, legislation to regulate toxic metals in baby food, passes House

Rep. Liz Hanbidge    October 7, 2026

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed the Baby Food Protection Act, legislation introduced by Rep Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, designed to ensure safer baby food products by requiring testing, clear labeling, and enforceable limits on toxic heavy metals.

Under H.B. 507, the Department of Agriculture would be responsible for testing samples of each batch of baby food manufactured in the commonwealth for inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, and other toxic heavy metals.

“This legislation is about giving parents peace of mind,” said Hanbidge. “Every family deserves to know that the food they give their babies is safe, and today’s House vote brings us one step closer to making that a reality.”

In addition to testing and enforcement, the bill would mandate that baby food labels display the levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, and any other identified heavy metals found in the tested batch. The measure would equip consumers with information and encourage manufacturers to uphold the highest safety standards.

“This is a commonsense step forward for child health and consumer protection,” said Hanbidge. “Our youngest Pennsylvanians deserve the strongest safeguards we can provide.”

The Baby Food Protection Act advances to the Senate for consideration.

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