Michigan HB 4865 requires baby food manufacturers to test products for toxic heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury beginning January 1, 2026, with testing conducted at certified laboratories to at least 6 micrograms per kilogram sensitivity. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers must create dedicated product webpages displaying detailed test results and include QR codes on product labels linking consumers to this information and FDA health guidance. Products exceeding safety standards must be disposed of, diverted to animal feed, or recalled if already sold. The bill defines baby food as products marketed for children under 2 years old, excluding infant formula, and establishes strict laboratory standards for compliance.

Why It Matters to MAHA

This bill directly advances MAHA's core commitment to transparency and informed consumer choice by requiring manufacturers to publicly disclose heavy metal testing data that parents need to make safe decisions for their infants. Heavy metal contamination in baby food represents a genuine public health concern that has been documented in multiple independent studies, and parents currently have no way to access manufacturer testing data despite manufacturers conducting such tests internally. The requirement for accessible, standardized information through QR codes and dedicated webpages empowers consumers rather than restricting choice, and establishes accountability without banning products outright but instead allowing the market and informed parents to drive safer practices. MAHA supports transparency-based food safety measures that enhance patient autonomy and give families the information they need to protect their children's health.