(NewsNation) — More than 90% of U.S. parents with children three and under turn to packaged foods at least occasionally, and parents could unknowingly be feeding their babies heavy metals, according to Consumer Reports.
Manufacturing companies aren’t required to test their ingredients or finished products, so parents have no way of knowing if their baby’s food includes heavy metals.
Consumer Report’s food safety team analyzed 50 popular nationally distributed packaged foods made for babies and toddlers — checking for cadmium, lead, mercury, and inorganic arsenic, which are the most harmful to health.
Babies are more affected by heavy metals and harm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated there’s no safe level of lead for children, as even trace amounts, when consumed over time, can have lifelong consequences.
Consumer Reports testing found “concerning levels” of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in baby food products, particularly those made with rice, sweet potatoes and carrots.
These foods have longer exposure to soil. Heavy metals occur naturally in the Earth’s core; however, most of the heavy metals that end up in baby food come from manufacturing contamination or pesticides.
Additionally, elevated levels of heavy metals have been found in fruit juice and chocolate. Consumer Reports found “dangerous” heavy metals in chocolate from Hersey’s, Theo, Trader Joe’s and other popular brands.
For years, recalls and studies have revealed elevated levels of toxic metals in certain foods marketed for kids.
In November, several products were recalled after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited 86 confirmed cases of lead poisoning after children consumed certain brands of apple puree likely spiked with contaminated cinnamon.
In January 2023, the FDA proposed new guidelines to reduce levels of lead and other heavy metals in processed foods, specifically baby food and dark chocolate. The new action could reduce lead exposure by 25%.