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Several Popular Baby Food Brands Contain Toxic Heavy Metals, Study Finds
Popular baby food brands like Gerber, Similac and Enfamil contain heavy metal toxins like arsenic, mercury and cadmium, according to a 2019 study.
Buzz60
Heavy metal levels in baby foods appears to be decreasing, but the presence of metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium in various foods continues to be “concerning,” according to a study published Tuesday.
Fourteen baby food products were tested by Consumer Reports as follow-up to the non-profit consumer organization 2018 study. The report found that levels of heavy metals appear to be decreasing in products, but “concerning levels” are still detected in some foods, including rice, sweet potatoes and snack foods.
But it’s not just ready-made baby foods that contain heavy metals like lead. A 2022 study found similar levels of heavy metals in homemade baby foodalso, especially those made from foods like rice and sweet potatoes.
Consumption of heavy metals has been shown to increase the risk of developmental and health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that even small amounts of lead affect behavior, IQ scores, and academic achievement.
“It’s difficult to get lead low” in some foods, said Mark Corkins, division chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. “To be honest, nothing will be completely free of contamination.”
Which baby foods contain heavy metals?
According to the Consumer Reports study, products containing rice and sweet potatoes tend to pose the greatest risk, meaning rice-based puffs were among the worst offenders. (At least one baby food brand, Beech-Nut, has stopped making rice products altogether due to “inconsistencies in arsenic levels.”)
Other research has also revealed the presence of heavy metals in baby foods. A report from the 2021 Congress of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee found high levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium among products sold by various brands, including Gerber, Beech-Nut, the maker of Earth’s Best Organics Hain Celestial and the maker of Happy Family Organics Nurture Inc.
“Internal company standards allow dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals, and documents reveal that manufacturers often sold foods exceeding these levels. » the report said.
Is it normal to have heavy metals in baby food?
For parents looking to avoid foods containing heavy metals, the solution isn’t as simple as avoiding ready-made products.
A 2022 study from Healthy Babies, Bright Futures – an alliance of nonprofits, scientists and donors – tested 288 foods and found no evidence that homemade baby foods contain lower levels of heavy metals than those store-bought brands. Ninety-four percent of store-bought baby foods, homemade purees and family brands were contaminated with at least one toxic heavy metal.
This is because some crops like rice and sweet potatoes absorb metals more easily as they grow. Some metals occur naturally in the soil, while others are added through the soil. various forms of pollution.
According to the Healthy Babies, Bright Futures study:
- Rice cakes and crispy rice cereals are heavily contaminated with arsenic.
- Some fresh carrots and sweet potatoes had high levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium.
- The most heavily contaminated foods consumed by babies include rice cakes, crispy rice cereals, rice puffs, brown rice, rice teething biscuits and rusks, white rice, grapes teething crackers without rice, granola bars with raisins and oats. cereal ring.
What do baby food manufacturers say?
The Consumer Reports study tested products from Want-Want (which makes Baby Mum-Mum products), Beech-Nut, Gerber and Earth’s Best.
A statement from Beech-Nut noted that its sweet potato product tested by Consumer Reports this year showed an 84% reduction in lead compared to previous tests conducted in 2017, and that its products are “well below the current action levels proposed by the FDA. »
“We are confident that the improvements that we have put in place, the continuous improvements that we are working on, the testing program that we have created are helping to reduce these levels,” said the vice president of quality and technical services. from Beech-Nut. , Jason Jacobs, told USA TODAY. “We continue to work to reduce these levels over time using best practices and continuous improvement methodologies.”
He also pointed out that studies have shown that certain nutrients in food can actually reduce lead absorptionmeaning that the body does not necessarily absorb all of the heavy metals detected in food.
A statement from Gerber says the industry is making progress toward reducing heavy metals and emphasizes that the metals are not added during production but are sucked up by plants from the soil.
“We believe the best way to address this issue is to focus on continuous improvement with our suppliers and producers to further minimize levels over time,” the statement said. “Throughout our 90-year history, we have implemented some of the highest safety and quality standards in the world – and we are committed to continuing to meet these standards.
Both companies said they were testing raw materials and finished products. Other companies mentioned in the report did not respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment.
Which baby foods are least contaminated with heavy metals?
The Healthy Babies, Bright Futures study found that the least contaminated foods eaten by babies include bananas, oatmeal, baby food brand meats, butternut squash, lamb, apples, pork , eggs, oranges and watermelon.
What can parents do?
The risk comes from repeated exposure over long periods of time, which means parents should feed their children a variety of foods.
“By mixing them, you get different amounts of different nutrients, but you (also) get different amounts of different heavy metals,” Corkins said. “By eating a varied diet, you will be less exposed to each of them.”
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit environmental health organization, suggests swapping rice cereal – which is often contaminated with arsenic – with alternative sources of fiber like green and pureed vegetables.
What is the FDA doing?
The United States Food and Drug Administration earlier this year, maximum limits were proposed for the amount of lead in baby foods.
A statement from the FDA says it is reviewing comments on its proposed action levels for lead, which should be finalized next year. The agency also plans to release draft action level guidelines for arsenic and cadmium next year.
Some public health advocates say the FDA needs to do more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no lead level safe for childrenand “even low levels of lead in the blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s intelligence, attention span, and academic achievement.” »
“There’s so much at stake,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president of government affairs. “The FDA is not setting the bar high enough to change how we source ingredients that ultimately contribute to toxic metals in baby foods.” Consumer Reports recommends that the FDA set a goal of not containing measurable amounts of cadmium, lead or inorganic arsenic in children’s foods.
A statement from the FDA said it knew “there is still work to be done” but warned that reducing heavy metal levels in foods would take time. The agency said setting action levels at zero for non-organic arsenic, lead and cadmium would be “shortsighted” and could lead to food shortages.
“We understand that there is a sense of urgency for many people for whom environmental contaminants in their food supply are a new concept. However, it is critically important for children’s health that they continue to have access to age-appropriate, nutrient-dense foods. “Our goal continues to ensure access to foods that provide essential nutrients, while reducing contaminant levels as close to zero as possible.”