Feeding your baby has gotten exponentially more stressful in the last few months, especially after lead-tainted applesauce sickened over 400 kids, most of them under the age of six. Now, a group of attorney generals have said enough is enough. Twenty AGs have signed a petition demanding the FDA "take urgent action to protect babies and young children nationwide from lead and other toxic metals in baby food." Granted, they did the same thing in 2021 and 2002, but here's hoping they can make change happen this go around.
How Long Have We Known About Toxic Baby Food?
As terrible as it sounds, the government has known about tainted baby food for years now. According to a groundbreaking 2019 study, as much as 95% of baby food tests positive for toxic heavy metals. In 2021, continued research by Congress brought to light that some of the most trusted baby food brands might have known about toxic heavy metals in their products and sold them anyway. A 2023 study done by Consumer Reports also found worrisome levels of toxins in baby foods.
Why Is It So Hard For Companies To Keep Baby Food Safe?
Long story short, our food supply is contaminated with heavy metal toxins. Lead, for example, exists naturally in the world around us, so tiny amounts of it can end up in the soil, water, and air. It can also contaminate foods via the way they're grown and processed. The real issue is that the FDA only regulates infant formulas and rice cereals but has no mandatory guidelines for the foods we buy in those cute little jars and pouches. Therefore, companies have no incentive to create protocols to keep toxins in baby food at safe levels.
Is It Safer To Make Your Own Baby Food?
I wish we had better news for you, but a 2022 study by Healthy Babies Bright Futures found that 94% of store-bought and homemade baby foods were contaminated with one or more of four toxic heavy metals. Who made the food didn't matter as much as what type of food was being made.
The Least Safe Foods For Babies To Eat
Healthy Babies Bright Futures lists the following foods as the least safe and most safe for babies to consume. The 10 most heavily contaminated foods consumed by babies (beginning with the highest) are:
Rice cakes
Crisped rice cereal
Rice-based puffs
Brown rice
Teething biscuits
Rice-based rusks
White rice
Raisins
Teething crackers (non-rice)
Granola bar with raisins
Oat-ring cereal
What Are Safe Foods For Babies To Eat
According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, the 10 least contaminated foods consumed by babies, beginning with the lowest, are:
Bananas
Grits
Baby food brand meats
Butternut squash
Lamb
Apple
Pork
Eggs
Oranges
Watermelon
Take Action: Tell the FDA Heavy Metals Have No Place in Baby Food
Action Network is currently hosting a petition from Mom's Clean Air Force to Tell the FDA that heavy metals have no place in baby food. If you'd like to sign, click here.
Remember, the most important thing when it comes to feeding your baby is to talk to your pediatrician about the best approach for you and your family. We'll keep you posted on new developments.
