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House adopts transparency requirements for baby food and adds contingency to include infant formula
Summary
The House advanced H536 requiring baby food manufacturers to publish heavy-metal testing results via QR codes and to meet FDA limits; the chamber adopted a committee amendment that sets a trigger to include infant formula if California or two other states enact substantially comparable laws, and gives the attorney general enforcement and reporting authority.
The House advanced H536, a bill aimed at limiting toxic heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) in baby food products sold in Vermont and requiring manufacturers to display test results via QR codes and links to federal guidance.
Under the bill as amended, a person may not sell baby food in the state that contains heavy metals exceeding FDA-established limits; manufacturers must provide a clear label and QR code directing consumers to test results and to USDA/FDA guidance. The statute defines baby food product as food sold specifically for children under age 2 and expressly excluded infant formula in the bill as reported to the floor.
Floor members adopted a multi-member amendment that would expand the law to cover infant formula if either California or two other states enact substantially comparable laws that include: prohibitions on sale/distribution of formula exceeding limits, required testing, and labeling and link requirements. The amendment also gives the attorney general authority to request test results, to conduct civil investigations, and to bring enforcement actions; the attorney general must suspend application of the infant-formula provisions if insufficient formula supply exists in the state and post notice if suspension occurs. The effective date for the baby-food provisions remains January 1, 2027.
Supporters cited consumer-research findings and urged transparency to protect infants; committee testimony included officials from the Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory, the Department of Health, lab-accreditation groups and national advocacy organizations. The House adopted the amendment and ordered third reading.
