China says diaper investigation found no formamide in tested samples
In short
A four-agency Chinese investigation reported no formamide in 368 batches of finished infant diapers covering 180 brands. Investigators said earlier positive findings relied on flawed testing and that current findings showed no formamide-related health harm from infant diapers.
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Chinese investigators said no formamide was detected in 368 batches of finished infant diapers from 180 brands, following an investigation into public concerns about the chemical. The findings, published on October 15, covered sampling at all 168 domestic manufacturers, including contract producers. Tests of another 32 batches of components, including waistbands and fasteners, also found no formamide, according to the investigation statement carried by several outlets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The joint team was established on June 22 by the market regulator, industry ministry, National Health Commission and national disease-control administration. Investigators also retested 58 batches from 15 brands remaining from a blogger's testing, finding no formamide. They said reproducing that blogger's procedure revealed problems including insufficient method validation. On-site inspections found manufacturers met hygiene requirements and identified no formamide added to or present in manufacturing processes or raw materials. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The inquiry also examined blood testing at a Shandong public-health clinical centre. Investigators said the work, begun in June 2026, remained preliminary and had flaws including identical signals in blank matrices, inadequate signal-to-noise ratios and deletion of original data. Retesting of 210 sealed blood samples found no formamide, the statement said. It also described deficiencies in other diaper tests and the withdrawal of two draft reports after reviewers determined the detected substance was not formamide. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Xinhua reported that authorities found no formamide-related health harm from infant diapers on the basis of the investigation and test results available. The statement called for cautious, objective research into related health concerns and said departments would continue strengthening supervision of infant products. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
The investigation addresses public concern about infant products and associated blood tests. Its conclusions concern the samples tested and the evidence examined; officials said they would continue strengthening oversight of infant supplies.
Key facts
- Inspectors sampled all 168 domestic infant-diaper manufacturers, including contract producers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- No formamide was detected in 368 finished-product batches or 32 batches of individual diaper components. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Retests of 210 blood samples from a Shandong research centre found no formamide, investigators said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reliability of earlier positive results. Investigators said methodological flaws meant the earlier tests could not establish formamide detection.