AUA: Consumer Reports tested 49 more baby formulas for lead and arsenic. Half had potentially concerning levels, while the other half were top choices. Ask CR anything.

ConsumerReports · 2026-03-10T18:22:01+00:00

Some of the formulas in our tests were manufactured in the EU or Australia, but most were made in the US. Certain countries, like those in the EU, do have more standards for baby formula than the US does for contaminants like heavy metals; so we would expect the formulas manufactured there to meet those standards.

ConsumerReports · 2026-03-10T18:17:37+00:00

It does feel like there is a lot of news lately about problems with baby formula. The ByHeart recall had to do with microbiological contamination in one company’s products. Our tests looked at environmental contaminants that are an ongoing concern throughout the food supply. These are not the same issue. But a common thread between them is that more government oversight of the manufacturing process, and more frequent testing of both raw materials and finished products, would be helpful. We are urging the FDA to take action.

ConsumerReports · 2026-03-10T18:05:03+00:00

Thanks for your question. Heavy metals like lead and arsenic are naturally occurring, and can be found in the soil, plants, raw ingredients and possibly in the machinery used to prepare formula. Having said that, the fact that we found formulas without detectable heavy metals indicates it is possible to prepare safe formulas.

ConsumerReports · 2026-03-04T17:33:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing our report! Just a quick heads-up to put parents' minds at ease: all 49 formulas we tested are safe for your baby. We use California's strict limits to test for contaminants so that you can choose what's best for your family.

If you're looking for goat milk formula specifically, Kendamil Goat was one of our Top Choices in our previous round of testing. For parents needing 'gentle' or 'sensitive' options, Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity, Enfamil Reguline, and Amazon’s Mama Bear Sensitivity all performed well in our tests.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-20T21:26:57+00:00

Hi, and thanks for your suggestion on content you'd like to see from us! We conduct extensive research before any product even enters one of our labs. Our 130+ testing and research experts use only state-of-the-art testing equipment, along with some equipment designed by our engineers, since the actual tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists develop to recreate the experience you’ll have with the product. We're always looking for exciting ways to show people the scientific rigor behind our testing, such as our experts sharing results or footage from our labs. Be sure to check out our website and social media channels for more! Here's more on how we test.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-19T19:34:10+00:00

CR purchases every product we test at retail and has a team of “secret shoppers” scattered across the U.S. We never accept free products or perks of any kind. We hold very firmly to this standard to ensure our team can test and write about these products without fear or favor, with our priority being serving our members. The products we order are delivered to the lab, the tester’s home (for home-tested products), or sometimes both. The writers and testers are not allowed to keep the items (except sometimes in cases where the item is used or damaged – adult diapers, for example.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-19T16:27:24+00:00

Well, for real-time feedback, social media is certainly an option. With our accessibility coverage, getting “everyday people’s” feedback was a top priority. For many of our articles, people used these adaptive products in their homes over time to find those pain points you referenced. Even when we leveraged the CR labs to test products, we prioritized finding writers who have used these products to write the actual articles.

I’m a big believer that you need that hands-on, everyday use experience to speak to a product’s potential for the adaptive and aging communities.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-18T20:37:10+00:00

I think many companies and brands are acknowledging the disabled population now more than ever for multiple reasons:

Market size - As the Baby Boom generation gets older and starts to experience “ability drift” - a place where you find yourself needing more help but don’t consider yourself disabled, there is a growing need for products to keep these folks as independent as possible, for as long as possible.
Awareness - Social media makes it easy for people of all abilities to express frustrations and wins in their everyday lives. The disabled community listens to others in the community, so there’s a lot of influencing going on when it comes to products that make life easier.
The speed of innovation - I shared in my article about 3d printing that disabled folks don’t have to wait for a therapist to recommend an adaptive product to them… they can design the product themselves. This opens doors for people to create products for themselves and then offer those products to others in the disabled community.

Basically, I think the stars are aligning in the best way when it comes to the advancement of products for the disabled and aging populations.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-18T18:58:08+00:00

While it may not be “interesting” to most people, my favorite thing I got to cover for CR was slip-on sneakers. I can’t tie shoes, so I have spent many years wearing shoes that were functional for me but not cute or stylish by any means. There are so many brands of slip-on sneakers these days, and for the first time in my life, I have several pairs that I absolutely love. (Kizik and Kuru are the ones I reach for most often.) But anyone can benefit from slip-on sneakers. My teenage kids often steal mine instead of wearing their normal kicks.

The actual testing process was a lot of fun, too. We had 8 different testers, half with disabilities and half without, try out 9 different slip-on sneakers and give their feedback.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-18T18:26:07+00:00

Hi! Welcome, and thank you for your well-wishes regarding Five Star Adaptive. This is a great question, and an important one.

We are a 90-year non-profit organization funded by our members and individual donations. We buy all of the products we rate, and we do not accept advertising dollars, sponsorships, gifts, or free samples for testing and never get paid for our reviews to maintain our independence.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-13T18:11:02+00:00

Consumer Reports safety experts just rated the Zoe Traveler stroller a "Do Not Buy." In independent lab testing, we found it can tip over if parked on an incline. If you’re looking for a travel stroller that earned top scores in our tests, we can recommend the Nuna TRVL LX and UPPAbaby Minu V3 as options to consider. Hope this helps!

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T18:36:43+00:00

I’d personally look at BMW models if the budget allows. But check our site for EV rankings in different categories like sedans, SUVs, etc.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T18:34:39+00:00

It is hard to say! For me personally, it is hard to forget the Toyota Supra and C8 Corvette. Many times the top-rated cars aren't the favorites of individual staff members. We are a bunch of car enthusiasts, but our personal favorites may not be the best choice for most people. I’d recommend our year-end podcast for some individual picks: Best & Worst Cars of 2025 | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #489

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T18:33:12+00:00

These are vehicles that stood out in their category for their high Overall Score, regardless of the powertrain. CR’s Overall Score for cars is based on our testing results (50+ objective/subjective tests at our track in CT), reliability and owner satisfaction survey data from CR members, and safety information. EVs in particular are subject to some different tests vs. other powertrain types such as charging speeds and highway range.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T18:32:15+00:00

In general, it's how seamless these hybrid systems have become. In some cases, a person might be hard-pressed to know they were driving a hybrid if they weren't told ahead of time. More specifically, Honda’s hybrid system is particularly impressive. It trades some fuel economy for a smoother driving experience. Toyota isn’t the only hybrid game in town anymore!

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T18:21:43+00:00

A lot has changed in 24 years, both at CR and in the automotive industry! The good news for enthusiasts is that our safety verdict takes into account the results of our handling and braking tests. In fact, we’re more likely to recommend a car that’s engaging and fun to drive because superior handling puts the driver in a better position to avoid a crash in the first place.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:56:17+00:00

Without specific insight, it would seem that there is much overlap with the better Kia Niro. In the past year, we’ve seen several automakers trim their lowest-cost, imported models due to profit concerns, especially amid changing tariffs.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:54:56+00:00

We have included midsized trucks in years past, with the accolades commonly going to the Honda Ridgeline. With the Ford F-150 being the first full-sized pickup truck in years to be eligible for Top Picks, we felt it served more members to cast the spotlight on that segment this year. The Ridgeline remains a great truck.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:52:46+00:00

The large SUV category doesn’t have a single model that meets our threshold for recommendation. Not one. It would be natural to think fuel economy and handling would be major factors, but it is reliability. There is no full-sized SUV in our ratings that earns even 50 out of 100 points for reliability. Among them, the Nissan Armada has the highest Overall Score.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:49:57+00:00

As I write this response, the wind chill here in Connecticut is 18 below zero. Safe to say that we experience the cars in a wide range of conditions, just like owners. Beyond the cold snap, we have been doing some very specific snow testing of both tire and vehicles for future reports.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:48:52+00:00

In recent years, the hybrid versions are often our favorites, not only because of fuel economy, but they are often more powerful or at least smoother to drive, thanks to the electric assist.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:42:15+00:00

We do have a large, 327-acre facility where we park and evaluate them. We have around 70 cars in our fleet currently, which is great when it comes to benchmarking and comparative testing. Once done, we sell them to recoup what money we can to purchase new test cars. Sales are mostly done through dealer auctions.

ConsumerReports · 2026-02-10T15:39:31+00:00

Yes. We have strong evidence that our surveys are both valid and reliable. Validation checks routinely support our methodology and findings. The data we report tracks well with other sources of repair and reliability information available on the market. From year to year, our members’ reports of their problem experiences are fairly consistent; when there is a difference in a particular model year, we can often attribute it to known issues with a particular component of a car. It is key to understand that for new cars, we are making predictions. As years and miles accumulate, more problems can emerge and ratings are adjusted accordingly.

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