Popular children's snacks created by Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids are under fire after testing established they contain concerning levels of lead. Alarmingly, the investigation by Consumer Reports found that Lesser Evil's "Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend" contained lead exceeding the amount found in any baby food Consumer Reports has tested since 2017 (over 80 products!). Serenity Kids' Tomato & Herb grain-free puffs, made with bone broth, were also flagged for high lead levels.
How Much Lead is in These Snacks?
The research, which used California's maximum allowable dose level (one of the most protective standards in the US) as a baseline, analyzed six kid-targeted snacks made with cassava or sorghum flour. The reults are below.
There Is A Silver Lining
Consumer Reports found that Once Upon A Farm, a brand created by Jennifer Garner and known for using sorghum flour in their kid's snacks, had some of the lowest lead levels ever detected in baby food. This suggests that sorghum might be a safer alternative to cassava, an ingredient found in some snacks with higher lead content. Parents looking for lower-lead options for their little ones may want to consider Once Upon A Farm products. Keep in mind that Once Upon A Farm did recall a product recently over concerns it could be contaminated with Listeria.
What Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids Are Saying
Though Serenity Kids hasn't made a statement, Lesser Evil did respond to the Consumer Reports findings. The company maintains that it prioritizes food safety and conducts thorough testing on both raw ingredients and finished products. It emphasizes its adherence to current regulations and safety standards.
Lead in Root Vegetables: A Source of Concern
The report suggests that cassava and other root vegetables used in these snacks might naturally contain more lead. According to the FDA, "Lead may be present in food from the environment where foods are grown." Research has also shown that root vegetables may be more vulnerable to heavy metal contamination due to how they are cultivated.
FDA Regulations and What's Next
The FDA is currently establishing lead limits for baby food (set for 2024) and fruit juices (2025). However, regulations for lead content in snack foods are still under development.
