Toxic Metals Found In Baby Food: What Parents Can Do

Last week, a study concluded that 95 percent of baby foods are contaminated with one or more toxic heavy metals, according to the Healthy Babies Bright Futures organization. 

The toxic metals include lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium which can impact growth of the baby’s brain, lower IQ and increase the chances of cancer. 

Some of the baby foods tested included popular brands like Gerber, Up&Up, Parent’s Choice, Similac and Enfamil. 

This study is concerning for many parents. So what can they do for their baby and their family? Well, it may be impossible to completely get rid of all heavy metal foods, but there are steps parents can take like limiting the amount of infant rice cereal. 

A baby’s first solid food is often cereal since it is easy to swallow and is packed with iron, but with the concerns of high levels of arsenic, choosing oatmeal or multigrain cereal may be the better alternative.

Rice cakes, cereal and pasta also had high levels of inorganic arsenic, so opting for white basmati rice from California, India or Pakistan can also be a better option. 

According to Consumer Reports, it’d be best to pass on protein powders and swap them for plant-based ones that have soy and hemp. Regular protein powders may have arsenic, cadmium and lead. 

Not only can parents take action for their family and their babies, but baby food companies and the Food and Drug Administration can as well. 

Senator Chuck Schumer even called on the FDA to take more action. “Parents across the land should be worried about teaching their children ABCs, not worried about what’s in their baby’s food,” said Schumer. 

HBBF also called on the FDA and created a petition to set health-based limits and protect the growth of babies. The petition is asking the administration to get rid of arsenic and lead out of popular baby snacks. 

Until then, HBBF is providing more steps that parents can take for their baby’s like choosing alternative snacks without toxic metals like frozen bananas, fresh fruit and swapping fruit juice with tap water. The chart below, created by HBBF, can also help parents determine which foods may be harmful and which alternatives are safer. 

It’s only a matter of time until this situation is completely handled, but in the meantime, these steps can help reduce toxic metal intake found in popular foods.