{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/3.2-5125.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/3.2-5125.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/3.2-5125.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/3.2-5125.1.html"}],"law_id":357951,"edition_id":2,"section_id":357951,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5125.1","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals","history":"2025, c. 693.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Baby food product&#8221; means any food manufactured, packaged, and labeled in a jar, pouch, tub, or box sold specifically for babies and children younger than two years of age. &#8220;Baby food product&#8221; does not include infant formula, as defined in &#xA7; 54.1-4300.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;FDA&#8221; means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;Production aggregate&#8221; means a quantity of product that is intended to have uniform composition, character, and quality and is produced according to a master manufacturing order.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;Proficient laboratory&#8221; means a laboratory that (i) is accredited under the standards of the International Organization for Standardization or the International Electrotechnical Commission pursuant to standard ISO\/IEC 17025:2017, (ii) uses an analytical method as sensitive as the analytical method described in the FDA&#8217;s Elemental Analysis Manual for Food and Related Products, and (iii) demonstrates proficiency in quantifying each toxic element to at least six micrograms of the toxic element to kilogram of food through an independent proficiency test by achieving a z-score that is less than or equal to plus or minus two.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;QR code&#8221; means a two-dimension matrix barcode consisting of blocks arranged in a grid that can be read by an imaging device.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;Representative sample&#8221; means a sample that consists of a number of units that are drawn based on rational criteria, including random sampling, and intended to ensure that the sample accurately portrays the material being sampled.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;Toxic heavy metal&#8221; means arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.\n\n\t\t\t&#8220;URL&#8221; means uniform resource locater.\n\nB\n\nNo person shall sell, distribute, or offer for sale any baby food that contains a toxic heavy metal that exceeds the limits established by the FDA. The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict the continued sale of such baby food product by a retailer of any existing inventory in stock before January 1, 2026.\n\nC\n\nA manufacturer of baby food shall test a representative sample of each production aggregate of the manufacturer&#8217;s final baby food product for a toxic heavy metal. Testing of a baby food product shall be conducted by a proficient laboratory at least once a month. Such manufacturer may test the final baby food product before packaging individual units of baby food for sale or distribution. Upon request of the Commissioner, a manufacturer shall provide the results of the test conducted pursuant to this subsection.\n\nD\n\nA manufacturer shall make publicly available on its website for the duration of the product shelf life of a final baby food product, plus one month, for each baby food product sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in the Commonwealth:\n\n1\n\nThe name and level of each toxic heavy metal present in the final baby food product as determined by the testing conducted under subsection C;\n\n2\n\nSufficient information, including the product name, universal product code, or lot or batch number, to enable consumers to identify the final baby food product; and\n\n3\n\nA link to the FDA&#8217;s website that provides the most recent FDA guidance and information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on children.\n\nE\n\nIf the baby food product is tested for a toxic heavy metal subject to an action level, regulatory limit, or tolerance established by the FDA under 21 C.F.R. \u00a7 109, the manufacturer shall display on the baby food product:\n\n1\n\nA label that states in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form, the following:\n\t\t\t\t&#8220;For Information About Toxic Element Testing On This Product, Scan the QR Code.&#8221;; and\n\n2\n\nA QR code or other machine-readable code that directs the consumers to the manufacturer&#8217;s website or the baby food product information page providing (i) the test results for the toxic heavy metal and (ii) a URL to the webpage on the FDA&#8217;s website that includes the most recent guidance and information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on children.\n\nF\n\nIf a consumer reasonably believes based on the information provided on the baby food product that such baby food product is being sold in the Commonwealth in violation of this section, the consumer shall report such baby food product to the Commissioner.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1332111,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Baby food product&#8221; means any food manufactured, packaged, and labeled in a jar, pouch, tub, or box sold specifically for babies and children younger than two years of age. &#8220;Baby food product&#8221; does not include infant formula, as defined in &#xA7; 54.1-4300.\t\t\t&#8220;FDA&#8221; means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.\t\t\t&#8220;Production aggregate&#8221; means a quantity of product that is intended to have uniform composition, character, and quality and is produced according to a master manufacturing order.\t\t\t&#8220;Proficient laboratory&#8221; means a laboratory that (i) is accredited under the standards of the International Organization for Standardization or the International Electrotechnical Commission pursuant to standard ISO\/IEC 17025:2017, (ii) uses an analytical method as sensitive as the analytical method described in the FDA&#8217;s Elemental Analysis Manual for Food and Related Products, and (iii) demonstrates proficiency in quantifying each toxic element to at least six micrograms of the toxic element to kilogram of food through an independent proficiency test by achieving a z-score that is less than or equal to plus or minus two.\t\t\t&#8220;QR code&#8221; means a two-dimension matrix barcode consisting of blocks arranged in a grid that can be read by an imaging device.\t\t\t&#8220;Representative sample&#8221; means a sample that consists of a number of units that are drawn based on rational criteria, including random sampling, and intended to ensure that the sample accurately portrays the material being sampled.\t\t\t&#8220;Toxic heavy metal&#8221; means arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.\t\t\t&#8220;URL&#8221; means uniform resource locater.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1332112,"text":"No person shall sell, distribute, or offer for sale any baby food that contains a toxic heavy metal that exceeds the limits established by the FDA. The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict the continued sale of such baby food product by a retailer of any existing inventory in stock before January 1, 2026.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1332113,"text":"A manufacturer of baby food shall test a representative sample of each production aggregate of the manufacturer&#8217;s final baby food product for a toxic heavy metal. Testing of a baby food product shall be conducted by a proficient laboratory at least once a month. Such manufacturer may test the final baby food product before packaging individual units of baby food for sale or distribution. Upon request of the Commissioner, a manufacturer shall provide the results of the test conducted pursuant to this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1332114,"text":"A manufacturer shall make publicly available on its website for the duration of the product shelf life of a final baby food product, plus one month, for each baby food product sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in the Commonwealth:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":1332115,"text":"The name and level of each toxic heavy metal present in the final baby food product as determined by the testing conducted under subsection C;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":1332116,"text":"Sufficient information, including the product name, universal product code, or lot or batch number, to enable consumers to identify the final baby food product; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"6":{"id":1332117,"text":"A link to the FDA&#8217;s website that provides the most recent FDA guidance and information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on children.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":1332118,"text":"If the baby food product is tested for a toxic heavy metal subject to an action level, regulatory limit, or tolerance established by the FDA under 21 C.F.R. \u00a7 109, the manufacturer shall display on the baby food product:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"E1"},"8":{"id":1332119,"text":"A label that states in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form, the following:\n\t\t\t\t&#8220;For Information About Toxic Element Testing On This Product, Scan the QR Code.&#8221;; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"9":{"id":1332120,"text":"A QR code or other machine-readable code that directs the consumers to the manufacturer&#8217;s website or the baby food product information page providing (i) the test results for the toxic heavy metal and (ii) a URL to the webpage on the FDA&#8217;s website that includes the most recent guidance and information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on children.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":1332121,"text":"If a consumer reasonably believes based on the information provided on the baby food product that such baby food product is being sold in the Commonwealth in violation of this section, the consumer shall report such baby food product to the Commissioner.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51200,"edition_id":2,"name":"Adulteration, Misbranding, and False Advertising","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51197,"metadata":{"child_laws":10,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:38:56","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:40","permalink":{"id":1424215,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51200,"identifier":"3","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51197,"edition_id":2,"name":"Food and Drink","identifier":"51","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":51196,"metadata":{"child_laws":54,"child_structures":5},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:38:54","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:40","permalink":{"id":1424129,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51197,"identifier":"51","token":"3.2\/IV\/51","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/51\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51196,"edition_id":2,"name":"Food and Drink; Weights and Measures","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":51103,"metadata":{"child_laws":240,"child_structures":23},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:38:54","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:40","permalink":{"id":1424127,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51196,"identifier":"IV","token":"3.2\/IV","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51103,"edition_id":2,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":5,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1194,"child_structures":151},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:37:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:27","permalink":{"id":1420941,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51103,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":357946,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5120","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/3.2-5120\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5120","metadata":false},{"id":357947,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5121","catch_line":"Authority to adopt regulations; conformity with federal regulations; hearings; enforcement of article; review of regulations","url":"\/3.2-5121\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5121","metadata":false},{"id":357948,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5122","catch_line":"Adulterated food","url":"\/3.2-5122\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5122","metadata":false},{"id":357949,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5123","catch_line":"Misbranded food","url":"\/3.2-5123\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5123","metadata":false},{"id":357950,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5124","catch_line":"Labeling as kosher and halal; penalty","url":"\/3.2-5124\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5124","metadata":false},{"id":357952,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5125","catch_line":"Poisonous or deleterious substance added to food","url":"\/3.2-5125\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5125","metadata":false},{"id":357951,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5125.1","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals","url":"\/3.2-5125.1\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5125.1","metadata":false},{"id":357953,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5126","catch_line":"Prohibited acts; exceptions; Commissioner may seek injunction; penalties","url":"\/3.2-5126\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5126","metadata":false},{"id":357954,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5127","catch_line":"Removal of certain labels from meat packaging prohibited; penalty","url":"\/3.2-5127\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5127","metadata":false},{"id":357955,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5128","catch_line":"Duty of attorney for the Commonwealth when violation reported; Commissioner to give notice","url":"\/3.2-5128\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5128","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":357952,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5125","catch_line":"Poisonous or deleterious substance added to food","url":"\/3.2-5125\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5125","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":357953,"structure_id":51200,"section_number":"3.2-5126","catch_line":"Prohibited acts; exceptions; Commissioner may seek injunction; penalties","url":"\/3.2-5126\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5126","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-5125.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2025. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?251+ful+CHAP0693\">693<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":369023,"section_number":"54.1-4300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-4300\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1424241,"object_type":"law","relational_id":357951,"identifier":"3.2-5125.1","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5125.1","url":"\/3.2-5125.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-5125.1\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/51\/3\/3.2-5125.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-5125.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Baby food product<\/span>&#8221; means any food manufactured, packaged, and labeled in a jar, pouch, tub, or box sold specifically for babies and children younger than two years of age. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Baby food product<\/span>&#8221; does not include infant formula, as defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/54.1-4300\/\">54.1-4300<\/a>.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span>&#8221; means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Production aggregate<\/span>&#8221; means a quantity of product that is intended to have uniform composition, character, and quality and is produced according to a master manufacturing <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Proficient laboratory<\/span>&#8221; means a laboratory that (i) is accredited under the standards of the International Organization for Standardization or the International Electrotechnical Commission pursuant to standard ISO\/IEC 17025:2017, (ii) uses an analytical method as sensitive as the analytical method described in the <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span>&#8217;s Elemental Analysis Manual for Food and Related Products, and (iii) demonstrates proficiency in quantifying each toxic element to at least six micrograms of the toxic element to kilogram of food through an independent proficiency test by achieving a z-score that is less than or equal to plus or minus two.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">QR code<\/span>&#8221; means a two-dimension matrix barcode consisting of blocks arranged in a grid that can be read by an imaging device.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Representative sample<\/span>&#8221; means a sample that consists of a number of units that are drawn based on rational criteria, including random sampling, and intended to ensure that the sample accurately portrays the <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span> being sampled.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Toxic heavy metal<\/span>&#8221; means arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.<br \/><br \/>\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">URL<\/span>&#8221; means uniform resource locater. <a id=\"paragraph-1332111\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> No person shall sell, distribute, or offer for sale any baby food that contains a <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metal<\/span> that exceeds the limits established by the <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span>. The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict the continued sale of such <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> by a retailer of any existing inventory in stock before January 1, 2026. <a id=\"paragraph-1332112\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> A manufacturer of baby food shall test a <span class=\"dictionary\">representative sample<\/span> of each <span class=\"dictionary\">production aggregate<\/span> of the manufacturer&#8217;s final <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> for a <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metal<\/span>. Testing of a <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> shall be conducted by a <span class=\"dictionary\">proficient laboratory<\/span> at least once a month. Such manufacturer may test the final <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> before packaging individual units of baby food for sale or distribution. Upon request of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span>, a manufacturer shall provide the results of the test conducted pursuant to this subsection. <a id=\"paragraph-1332113\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> A manufacturer shall make publicly available on its website for the duration of the product shelf life of a final <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span>, plus one month, for each <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in the Commonwealth: <a id=\"paragraph-1332114\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The name and level of each <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metal<\/span> present in the final <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> as determined by the testing conducted under subsection C; <a id=\"paragraph-1332115\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#D1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Sufficient information, including the product name, universal product code, or lot or batch number, to enable consumers to identify the final <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span>; and <a id=\"paragraph-1332116\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#D2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> A link to the <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span>&#8217;s website that provides the most recent <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span> guidance and information about the health effects of <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metals<\/span> on children. <a id=\"paragraph-1332117\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#D3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> is tested for a <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metal<\/span> subject to an action level, regulatory limit, or tolerance established by the <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span> under 21 C.F.R. \u00a7&nbsp;109, the manufacturer shall display on the <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span>: <a id=\"paragraph-1332118\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">label<\/span> that states in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form, the following:\n\t\t\t\t&#8220;For Information About Toxic Element Testing On This Product, Scan the <span class=\"dictionary\">QR Code<\/span>.&#8221;; and <a id=\"paragraph-1332119\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#E1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">QR code<\/span> or other machine-readable code that directs the consumers to the manufacturer&#8217;s website or the <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> information page providing (i) the test results for the <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metal<\/span> and (ii) a <span class=\"dictionary\">URL<\/span> to the webpage on the <span class=\"dictionary\">FDA<\/span>&#8217;s website that includes the most recent guidance and information about the health effects of <span class=\"dictionary\">toxic heavy metals<\/span> on children. <a id=\"paragraph-1332120\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#E2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> If a consumer reasonably believes based on the information provided on the <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> that such <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> is being sold in the Commonwealth in violation of this section, the consumer shall report such <span class=\"dictionary\">baby food product<\/span> to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1332121\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/3.2-5125.1\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026) BABY FOOD PROTECTION ACT; TESTING AND LABELING\nREQUIREMENTS FOR TOXIC HEAVY METALS (\u00a7 3.2-5125.1)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Baby food product&#8221; means any food manufactured, packaged, and\nlabeled in a jar, pouch, tub, or box sold specifically for babies and children\nyounger than two years of age. &#8220;Baby food product&#8221; does not include\ninfant formula, as defined in &#xA7; 54.1-4300.\t\t\t&#8220;FDA&#8221; means the\nU.S. Food and Drug Administration.\t\t\t&#8220;Production aggregate&#8221; means a\nquantity of product that is intended to have uniform composition, character, and\nquality and is produced according to a master manufacturing\norder.\t\t\t&#8220;Proficient laboratory&#8221; means a laboratory that (i) is\naccredited under the standards of the International Organization for\nStandardization or the International Electrotechnical Commission pursuant to\nstandard ISO\/IEC 17025:2017, (ii) uses an analytical method as sensitive as the\nanalytical method described in the FDA&#8217;s Elemental Analysis Manual for\nFood and Related Products, and (iii) demonstrates proficiency in quantifying\neach toxic element to at least six micrograms of the toxic element to kilogram\nof food through an independent proficiency test by achieving a z-score that is\nless than or equal to plus or minus two.\t\t\t&#8220;QR code&#8221; means a\ntwo-dimension matrix barcode consisting of blocks arranged in a grid that can be\nread by an imaging device.\t\t\t&#8220;Representative sample&#8221; means a sample\nthat consists of a number of units that are drawn based on rational criteria,\nincluding random sampling, and intended to ensure that the sample accurately\nportrays the material being sampled.\t\t\t&#8220;Toxic heavy metal&#8221; means\narsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.\t\t\t&#8220;URL&#8221; means uniform resource\nlocater.\n\nB. No person shall sell, distribute, or offer for sale any baby food that\ncontains a toxic heavy metal that exceeds the limits established by the FDA. The\nprovisions of this subsection shall not restrict the continued sale of such baby\nfood product by a retailer of any existing inventory in stock before January 1,\n2026.\n\nC. A manufacturer of baby food shall test a representative sample of each\nproduction aggregate of the manufacturer&#8217;s final baby food product for a\ntoxic heavy metal. Testing of a baby food product shall be conducted by a\nproficient laboratory at least once a month. Such manufacturer may test the\nfinal baby food product before packaging individual units of baby food for sale\nor distribution. Upon request of the Commissioner, a manufacturer shall provide\nthe results of the test conducted pursuant to this subsection.\n\nD. A manufacturer shall make publicly available on its website for the duration\nof the product shelf life of a final baby food product, plus one month, for each\nbaby food product sold, manufactured, delivered, held, or offered for sale in\nthe Commonwealth:\n\n   1. The name and level of each toxic heavy metal present in the final baby food\n   product as determined by the testing conducted under subsection C;\n\n   2. Sufficient information, including the product name, universal product code,\n   or lot or batch number, to enable consumers to identify the final baby food\n   product; and\n\n   3. A link to the FDA&#8217;s website that provides the most recent FDA\n   guidance and information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on\n   children.\n\nE. If the baby food product is tested for a toxic heavy metal subject to an\naction level, regulatory limit, or tolerance established by the FDA under 21\nC.F.R. \u00a7 109, the manufacturer shall display on the baby food product:\n\n   1. A label that states in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form, the\n   following:\n   \t\t\t\t&#8220;For Information About Toxic Element Testing On This Product, Scan\n   the QR Code.&#8221;; and\n\n   2. A QR code or other machine-readable code that directs the consumers to the\n   manufacturer&#8217;s website or the baby food product information page\n   providing (i) the test results for the toxic heavy metal and (ii) a URL to the\n   webpage on the FDA&#8217;s website that includes the most recent guidance and\n   information about the health effects of toxic heavy metals on children.\n\nF. If a consumer reasonably believes based on the information provided on the\nbaby food product that such baby food product is being sold in the Commonwealth\nin violation of this section, the consumer shall report such baby food product\nto the Commissioner.\n\nHISTORY: 2025, c. 693.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}