Bobbie and Light Labs: A Partnership Committed to Infant Formula Transparency

Choosing a formula is a deeply personal decision, and parents deserve to know exactly what's in their baby's bottle. At Bobbie, transparency is built into how we develop, test and share our formulas. Each batch undergoes rigorous safety and quality testing, and we're always looking for ways to give families even greater confidence in what they're feeding their little ones.

That's why we partnered with Light Labs, an independent third-party laboratory focused on making product testing transparent and easy to understand. 

Meet Light Labs: The Testing Partner Helping Parents See More

At Light Labs, the goal is simple: Make product testing more transparent and help parents make informed decisions with confidence.

Founded by Nick Mares, founder of Kettle & Fire, and Vijay Manohar, an early engineering leader at Samsara, Light Labs was built to address a common frustration. Product testing has traditionally been slow, difficult to access, and largely hidden from the people who rely on it most. 

Today, led by Lab Director Lev Spivak-Birndorf, Light Labs combines modern laboratory testing with easy-to-understand reporting. That way, families can see the science behind the products they buy, and brands can earn trust through evidence rather than marketing claims.

What Light Labs Tests For and Why It Matters

As part of the partnership, Bobbie Formula is voluntarily tested by Light Labs using advanced analytical methods capable of detecting substances at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. Think of it like one drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It’s a level of precision that helps scientists detect even tiny amounts of naturally occurring substances and other contaminants.

This additional layer of testing screens for more than 550 contaminants, including:

• Heavy metals

• Bisphenols

• BPA (bisphenol A)

• Pesticides

• Microbials

• Plasticizers

• Phthalates

• Glyphosate

• Allergens

• Additional contaminants

"Trust shouldn't be a marketing claim; it should be something a parent can actually see. Bobbie's been doing that from day one, and it's exactly why we built Light Labs." - Nick Mares, Founder & CEO, Light Labs

That's what makes the Bobbie and Light Labs partnership such a natural fit. Bobbie has always believed parents deserve transparency, and Light Labs helps make that commitment even more visible through independent testing and publicly available results.

When It Comes To Safety, Bobbie Goes Further

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates infant formula to help ensure it’s safe and nutritionally complete. However, it does not currently set specific limits for heavy metals in infant formula.

Bobbie goes beyond these requirements by setting its own internal standards based on strict global benchmarks, including applicable European standards. This includes evaluating sourcing and testing practices to help keep contaminant levels as close to zero as possible.

Because some substances naturally occur in the environment, Bobbie works to:

• Source high-quality ingredients

• Carefully monitor each batch

• Continually look for ways to reduce those levels even further

The Layers of Testing Behind Every Can of Bobbie Formula

Light Labs testing is just one layer of Bobbie’s broader quality and safety program. Every can undergoes more than 2,000 safety and quality checks to help ensure it meets rigorous standards for nutrition, quality and purity.

Bobbie’s testing process includes:

• Required regulatory testing

• Independent third-party testing through Light Labs for more than 550 contaminants

• Clean Label Project testing and certification

• Routine microplastics testing

• Additional third-party laboratory testing, including Eurofins when appropriate

• Manufacturing in a U.S.-based facility under strict quality controls

As testing methods evolve, Bobbie is committed to finding new ways to share clearer, more helpful information with families.

What Parents Should Know When Reviewing Test Results

Here's what you'll see in Bobbie's Light Labs results, and why it matters:

Looking Closer at Heavy Metal Testing

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury naturally occur in soil, water and the environment, which means trace amounts can sometimes be found in the food supply. Bobbie takes a proactive approach by carefully selecting ingredients, monitoring results and continually working to keep heavy metal levels as close to zero as possible. 

It’s also important to consider the amount detected. Today’s testing methods can identify extremely small trace levels of substances, but finding a trace amount doesn't automatically mean there's a safety concern. Instead, testing helps Bobbie:

• Monitor results

• Identify opportunities to improve

• Continue raising its standards

What Are Phthalates and Why Are They Tested?

Phthalates are chemicals commonly used to make plastics more flexible and can sometimes enter the food supply through manufacturing or packaging. While they’re not added to infant formula, Bobbie tests for phthalates and other plasticizers as part of its broader quality and safety program.

Understanding Other Contaminants

Light Labs screens for more than 550 potential contaminants, including pesticides, microbials, BPA, allergens and more. This comprehensive approach gives families a clearer picture of what’s inside their baby’s bottle. 

How To Read Bobbie’s Light Labs Results

Bobbie's Transparency Tracker™ makes it easy to understand formula testing results. Each batch report includes:

• The contaminant tested

• The detection level, if any

• Bobbie's internal limit

• How the result compares to established standards

Results are also color-coded for easy reference. Green means the result meets both Bobbie's internal standards and comparison benchmarks. Yellow indicates a trace amount that remains below external safety standards but receives additional review as part of Bobbie's quality process.

Bobbie and Light Labs FAQs

Why does Bobbie test with Light Labs?

Light Labs provides independent, third-party testing for each batch of Bobbie formula. The results are shared publicly, offering parents another layer of understanding and transparency.

Are heavy metals always avoidable?

No. Because heavy metals naturally occur in the environment, trace amounts can be found throughout the food supply. That’s why Bobbie takes extra care to monitor heavy metal levels and continually looks for ways to reduce them as much as possible. Extremely low levels of heavy metals are expected and are not a cause for concern.

Does the FDA require this testing?

The FDA regulates infant formula, but it doesn't require the expanded testing Bobbie performs through Light Labs. Added layers of testing aim to give families even more assurance about what’s in their baby’s formula.

How often are Bobbie formulas tested through Light Labs and where can I see the results?

Each batch of Bobbie formula is voluntarily tested through Light Labs before the results are published publicly. Parents can use Bobbie's Transparency Tracker™ to view the Light Labs results for their specific formula batch.

Transparency You Can See for Yourself

Parents deserve to know what's in the products they choose for their little one. That's why Light Labs independently tests each batch of Bobbie formula for more than 550 contaminants. It's one more way Bobbie is making it easier for families to understand exactly what's in, and what's not in, their baby's formula.

Ready to take a closer look? Visit the Transparency Tracker™ to explore batch results, or shop Bobbie Infant Formula today.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.