Meng Criticizes Walmart for Selling Expired Baby Formula

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), sponsor of legislation to prohibit the sale of expired baby formula, today criticized Walmart after the retail giant was caught selling formula past its expiration date.

This past June, Meng introduced the Infant Formula Protection Act, a bill that would require stores to stop selling expired baby formula. 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 As a result, many stores continue to keep the expired items on their shelves despite the fact that the products are outdated.

"This latest incident at a Walmart once again illustrates the urgent need for a law that will finally end the unconscionable practice of selling expired baby formula," said Meng. "This law is desperately needed to protect our children, and to prevent retailers from putting profits ahead of safety. I renew my call on Congress to pass it."

A television station in Colorado reported that a mother in Colorado Springs purchased Similac Soy Formula at a local Walmart, and discovered that the product was one month expired. When she returned to the store to exchange it, she found that six other formulas of the same brand were also expired. The station visited the store several hours later, and found many packages of formula that expired last month were still on the shelf as well.

Meng's measure would make it illegal for stores to sell baby formula after the product's "use by" date has passed. Stores that fail to comply could be fined up to $200,000.

Expired baby formula puts infants at risk because the product loses its nutrient quality over time. So formula consumed after the expiration date may not provide babies with adequate nutrition for health and proper development.

Click here to see the television report.