Test. Test. Test again.

Trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury can be found throughout the global food system. These elements naturally occur in soil, water, and air, which means small traces can appear in many foods—including fruits, vegetables, grains, breastmilk, and infant formula.

What matters most is that infant formula is carefully tested to ensure any traces remain far below strict safety limits set by food safety authorities.

Nara Organics is extensively tested for heavy metals and thousands of other contaminants. Every batch of Nara has shown non-detect or far below daily limits for heavy metals. See our full testing protocol.

Yes. Infant formulas made in the European Union must meet strict safety standards set by the European Commission and evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority.

These regulations require rigorous ingredient controls, contaminant monitoring, and manufacturing oversight to ensure infant formulas meet some of the most comprehensive food safety standards in the world.

Both the United States and the European Union regulate infant formula safety. In the U.S., infant formula is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Infant formula made in the EU is overseen by the European Food Safety Authority. EU regulations often emphasize precautionary limits and ingredient sourcing controls, and manufacturers typically conduct extensive contaminant testing throughout production. Parents sometimes choose European formulas because of the high level of regulatory oversight and manufacturing standards required across the EU.

The FDA has also introduced a new plan called Closer to Zero, which all U.S. infant formula manufacturers are working toward. 

Because Nara is an American formula made in Germany, we’re required to meet both EU and U.S. food safety standards for infant formula, and our quality and safety program goes beyond regulatory requirements.

Heavy metals are naturally present in the environment. Plants absorb minerals—including trace metals—from soil and water as they grow.

Because dairy cows eat plants and grains, tiny traces can occasionally enter the milk supply and other food ingredients. These elements are not intentionally added to formula and can appear in many foods people eat every day.

Safety depends on the amount of exposure. Food safety authorities establish extremely low limits designed specifically to protect infants. Infants are especially vulnerable to heavy metal because of their developing nervous systems. That’s why infant formula is so strictly regulated. 

Every batch of Nara has shown non-detect or far below daily limits for heavy metals. If a batch of Nara ever tested above the EU limits, it would be taken out of production and would not reach your home.

Yes. Formula produced in the U.S. and across the EU undergoes rigorous testing for contaminants throughout production, including heavy metals, microbiological safety, pesticide residues, environmental contaminants, and more. 

Nara Organics goes through an extremely rigorous testing process that exceeds EU standards. We test three times: 1) Raw ingredients, 2) while our formula is in process, and 3) finished product. This multi-step testing helps ensure that contaminant levels remain well below regulatory thresholds. 

Read about our safety standards here.

Organic certification focuses on farming practices such as avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. While organic agriculture offers environmental benefits, heavy metals occur naturally in soil and water.

Because of this, testing and sourcing controls — not just organic certification — play the biggest role in minimizing heavy metal levels in infant formula.

However, organic certification does lower pesticide exposure and other environmental contaminants, and being USDA Organic is an important part of Nara Organics Infant Formula.

Because heavy metals originate in soil, they are most often associated with plant-based ingredients such as grains or starches.

Milk-based ingredients typically contain lower levels. Careful ingredient sourcing and purification processes help reduce contamination risks.

When heavy metals are measured in food, the results are often reported in parts per billion (ppb). A part per billion represents an extremely small amount.

To put it in perspective:

• 1 ppb is like one drop of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool
• It’s also comparable to one second in about 32 years
  

Regulatory limits for infant foods are set with these extremely small measurements in mind to ensure safety for babies.

Laboratory testing methods for heavy metals can vary based on:

• The specific testing instrument used
• The preparation of the sample
• The laboratory’s detection limits
• The testing protocol or methodology
  

For example, some labs detect to 5 ppb, some detect to 2 ppb, and some detect to 1 ppb.  A test which has a detection limit of 5 ppb would report a ‘non-detect’ result if a sample had 4 ppb or less.

Additionally, a test method has inherent method uncertainties. This means if the same sample is tested 5 times in the same laboratory, there might be 5 slightly different results within a certain range. This is called intra-laboratory method uncertainty.

Because of these differences, the same formula can sometimes produce different results.

What matters most is that testing is performed using validated methods and that results remain within established safety standards.

When a test result is reported as “non-detect” or “ND,” it does not necessarily mean the substance is completely absent.

Instead, it means that the level present — if any — is below the laboratory’s detection limit, which is the smallest amount the test can reliably measure. 

For example, some labs detect to 5 ppb, some detect to 2 ppb, and some detect to 1 ppb. A test which has a detection limit of 5 ppb would report a “non-detect” result if a sample had 4 ppb or less. If a lab detects to 1 ppb, then “non-detect” is a result under 1 ppb. 

Modern laboratory instruments are incredibly sensitive, but every test still has a minimum threshold. “Non-detect” simply indicates that any potential trace amount is too small for the test to measure.

From time to time, independent organizations publish testing results for infant formula. These reports can be helpful, but it’s important to understand that different testing approaches can produce different numbers.

Results may vary because of:

1. Different laboratories and instruments
Testing methods for heavy metals (analytical chemistry techniques used to measure tiny contaminant levels) can vary between laboratories. Differences in equipment, calibration, and sample preparation can influence the results.

2. Different detection limits
Each lab has a detection limit, meaning the smallest amount it can reliably measure. A lab with a more sensitive method may detect traces that another lab reports as “non-detect.”

3. Different samples or batches
Third-party organizations typically test a single retail sample, while manufacturers test multiple batches throughout production. Natural variation between batches can lead to small differences in measurements.

4. Differences in reporting methods
Some reports publish any measurable trace, even when levels are far below regulatory limits designed to protect infants.

For these reasons, it’s possible for testing performed by different laboratories to produce slightly different results for the same type of formula. What matters most is that formulas comply with safety standards established by authorities such as the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

These organizations set limits specifically designed to ensure infant foods remain safe for babies to consume.

Yes, Nara Organics Infant Formula is tested for heavy metals during our rigorous safety protocols. Nara is tested by an independent EU lab to official EU standards. Every batch of Nara has shown non-detect or far below daily limits for heavy metals. We also test for thousands of other contaminants, going beyond global requirements. We’ve won the Purity Award and the Pesticide-Free Award from the Clean Label Project.

At Nara, we’re committed to transparency and scientific rigor. This means doing things the right way — and often the hard way. 

This means that we deliberately choose testing methods that have the lowest possible sensitivity, so we can get an accurate picture. 

For example, some labs detect to 5 ppb, some detect to 2 ppb, and some detect to 1 ppb.  A test which has a detection limit of 5 ppb would report a ‘non-detect’ result if a sample had 4 ppb or less.

We’re not interested in choosing a less sensitive method and then saying we received a “non-detect.” We believe in knowing what the true level is and working hard to do everything we can to continue to further reduce the presence of any environmental contaminants, including heavy metals.      

We also use recognized third party analytical laboratories which are independently certified and audited for their analytical capabilities. This helps ensure we have access to the best analytical methods, equipment, and experts. 

Your baby’s safety is always our highest priority, and we’ve created a rigorous, one-of-a-kind safety program for that very reason.