This report examines mothers’ concerns about heavy metals and other contaminants in baby and toddler food, drawing on a national survey conducted in collaboration with the Clean Label Project. Nearly 1,000 mothers across the U.S. shared how they assess infant food safety, their awareness of legislative efforts such as California’s AB 899, and where they seek trusted information. Findings show widespread concern about food contaminants, strong support for transparency and regulation, and a notable gap between mothers’ concern and their awareness of existing policy initiatives.

In October 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the Safe School Meals Act, federal legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate in September 2024 to strengthen FDA food safety standards for school meals. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey evaluated the bill's six main provisions — FDA limits on heavy metals, bans on pesticide residues, restrictions on harmful packaging chemicals, food additive reevaluation, grants for farmers and manufacturers to transition to safer practices, and mothers' trust in current FDA standards.

In September 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views and firsthand experiences with U.S. public schools, including school enrollment patterns, trust in teachers and administrators, perceptions of school environment, and interest in switching school types. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey captured five core dimensions of mothers' relationship to public education and an open-ended question on the most important problem to solve in their district's public schools. Mothers reported broadly positive views of public schools alongside specific, persistent concerns — most prominently bullying, safety, and administrative accountability.

In August 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on two bipartisan, bicameral childcare bills introduced by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) — the Childcare Availability and Affordability Act and the Childcare Workforce Act. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey evaluated proposed increases to the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, expanded Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and employer tax credits — alongside firsthand experience using these benefits and assessments of which policy mechanisms would most effectively support families.