Shortly after the meeting, the official HHS account on X made a post that read:
"After meeting with CEOs of top infant formula manufacturers today, Secretary Kennedy and the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed to expand options for safe, reliable, and nutritious infant formula for American families."
After meeting with CEOs of top infant formula manufacturers today, @SecKennedy + @US_FDA announced Operation Stork Speed to expand options for safe, reliable, and nutritious infant formula for American families.
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) March 18, 2025
Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/KD2upI5Tyf pic.twitter.com/IyQ0e1xfWm
According to a report from Bloomberg, the companies that were in attendance sell infant formula included Abbott Laboratories, which makes Similac, Enfamil maker Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, and Bubs Australia Ltd.
Kennedy reportedly discussed nutritional standards and shoring up the supply chain.
The meeting followed Kennedy's previous public posts expressing his concern with toxic metals present in baby formula.
During his 2024 presidential campaign prior to endorsing President Trump, Kennedy had stated that if he were elected, the Food and Drug Administration, a part of HHS that he now oversees, would examine formula ingredients.
"Kennedy, who was tapped to head HHS after joining US President Donald Trump’s campaign, has targeted ultra-processed foods and artificial dyes in food. He has said that he plans to investigate their links to chronic diseases, a key point in his Make America Healthy Again agenda.
Abbott and Reckitt have faced lawsuits over claims that they hid potential risks of formulas for infants born prematurely. Kyle Diamantas, the new acting director of FDA’s food division, defended Abbott in some of those lawsuits in his role as an attorney at the law firm Jones Day, the New York Times reported."
Last week, the White House held a federal health roundtable that discussed the issues of chemicals in baby formula, food additives, and excessive screen time.
Per the Wall Street Journal, "The meeting also highlighted a video of Kennedy and others struggling to pronounce ingredients found in pantry items from Pop-Tarts to Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies.
"Carrageenan, riboflavin, monosodium glutamate and 20 others that I can’t pronounce,” said Kennedy. Education Secretary Linda McMahon took a stab at saying sodium stearoyl lactylate."
Regarding the push to overhaul the corrupt food system, the video shown in the meeting explicitly stated: 'we’re coming for you.'
