On December 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its ongoing plan to further update the safety and resiliency of infant formula. The main measures are:

(1) Hire and provide specialized training for personnel dedicated to monitoring critical foods, including infant formula, including the establishment of a dedicated Critical food Inspection Officer and the establishment of a new Critical Foods Office. Both actions provide the FDA with resources and expertise specifically targeted at critical foods and help strengthen oversight of these commodities.

Update and improve the FDA's Infant Formula Compliance Program, which Outlines its approach to inspection and compliance of infant formula to ensure the safety and nutrition of infant formula products in the U.S. food supply;

(3) Support the position of the Committee of State and Territory Epidemiologists (CSTE) to promote Cronobacter as a national notifiable infectious disease, which is a critical step to better understand how these diseases occur, spread, the extent of the risk of the disease, and how to prevent Cronobacter related diseases;

(4) Increase the diversity of infant formula in the United States, in particular through the U.S. FDA's transition program for companies that previously received enforcement discretion letters;

Update and simplify infant formula related materials on the FDA website to provide more accessible information for consumers, industry, and healthcare professionals, including information on infant formula and Cronobacter, as well as new resources in English and Spanish on the safe handling of infant formula.