April 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 62 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 INFANT FORMULA PROTECTION ACT OF 2019

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                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of 
the Infant Formula Protection Act.
   As a mom, I know the fear and the pressure that comes with caring 
for a newborn; all a new parent wants is to make sure their baby is 
healthy. Busy parents need to be able to rely on the safety of 
products, like formula, that they buy in grocery stores to make sure 
their newborns are well-fed and healthy. Grocery stores that stock 
expired formula--even by just a few days--pose real health risks to 
infants.
   Although regulations require expiration dates to be placed on 
formula, there is no federal law that prohibits the sale of the product 
after it has expired. As a result, many stores continue to keep the 
expired items on their shelves even though the products are outdated.
   That is why I have introduced the Infant Formula Protection Act of 
2019, which would categorize expired infant formula as ``adulterated.'' 
A grocery store that stocks an adulterated substance can incur fines 
and other penalties. Parents must be able to trust the safety of the 
products they buy in their stores.
   Madam Speaker, we cannot take any chances with what we feed our 
babies, I urge my colleagues to join me and pass the Infant Formula 
Protection Act.

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