FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) Responds to FDA Infant Formula Testing Results
April 29, 2026
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) acknowledges the recent announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding its nationwide testing of infant formula products as part of Operation Stork Speed and the Closer to Zero initiative.
We appreciate FDA’s continued commitment to monitoring the safety of the infant feeding supply and to transparency in sharing these results with the public.
The FDA also reported on a limited analysis of 110 human milk samples from a single donor milk bank. Importantly, the agency clearly states that these findings reaffirm that human milk remains the optimal source of nutrition for infants whenever possible.
Environmental contaminants, including trace amounts of heavy metals, are present throughout the food supply due to naturally occurring and human-made exposures. Human milk is no exception. At the same time, decades of research consistently demonstrate that human milk, including pasteurized donor human milk, provides critical health protection for infants, particularly those born preterm or medically fragile.
HMBANA-accredited milk banks follow rigorous safety standards, including donor screening, milk testing, and pasteurization processes, to ensure the highest level of safety for the infants they serve. These standards are grounded in evidence and continuously reviewed to reflect current science and best practices.
“HMBANA remains confident in the safety and quality of donor human milk provided through our network,” said Lindsay Groff, Executive Director of HMBANA. “We welcome ongoing collaboration with FDA and other partners to continue advancing research and ensuring access to safe donor milk for the infants who need it most.”
HMBANA will continue to work closely with federal partners, clinicians, and member milk banks to support science-based policies and clear, accurate public communication about infant feeding.
For more information about donor human milk and HMBANA standards, visit www.hmbana.org.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Groff, MBA
Executive Director
Human Milk Banking Association of North America
