Toxic Lead in Baby Food: FDA’s Limits ‘Too Weak’ to Protect Kids

United States: On Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration set out a maximum amount of lead in foods more often eaten by infants, including fruits and vegetables in jars, yogurts, and dry cereals, in an effort to decrease lead levels in young children who suffer developmental and neurological problems after consuming products containing this toxic metal.

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The agency issued the final guidance it said could reduce lead in processed baby foods by 20 percent to 30 percent.

The tolerances are initial and not statutory for food producers, but they mean that the FDA can act if it is over these levels of foods.

The FDA has issued new maximum levels for the amount of lead levels in baby food, in an effort to reduce babies' exposure to the toxic metal that can cause developmental and neurological problems.https://t.co/U8vcEMWR5T

— WENY News (@WENYTV) January 6, 2025

The agency stated that in part of its ongoing effort to “reduce dietary exposure to contaminants, including lead, in foods to as low as possible over time, while maintaining access to nutritious foods,” US News reported.

Consumer advocates who have been More Details advocating for other restrictions on lead in kids’ foods welcome the guidance that was first unveiled nearly two years ago, but they argue that it does not stretch far enough.

Added instructions by experts

According to Thomas Galligan, a scientist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, “FDA’s actions today are a step forward and will help protect children,” “However, the agency took too long to act and ignored important public input that could have strengthened these standards.”

The new restrictions on lead for foods given to children below two years of age do not apply to grain-based snacks such as puffs and teething biscuits, which some studies have indicated contain high levels of lead.

And they do not regulate other metals like cadmium, which has been found in baby foods.

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, has stated that the limits are “virtually meaningless because they’re based more on industry feasibility and not on what would best protect public health,” US News reported.

🚨 FDA's NEW BABY FOOD GUIDELINES 🍼

– Voluntary limits set for lead in baby foods:
– Fruits, veggies: 10 ppb
– Cereals, roots: 20 ppb
– No limits for snacks like puffs or teething biscuits, despite known high lead content.
– Other toxic metals? Not addressed.

This… pic.twitter.com/Jz3EaW2SBr

— Quincy Norton (@Bear_Battleborn) January 6, 2025

The new max limits on lead for toddlers under 2 do not apply to those grain-based snack items such as puffs and teething biscuits that some studies suggest contain higher levels of lead.

They do not contain other metals like cadmium, which are found in baby foods.

A representative of the baby food company Gerber said their products do not exceed the said limits.

The United States Centre for Disease Control put it succinctly by asserting that lead exposure simply has no risk-free threshold for children.

However, lead occurs naturally in some foods, and due to polluting agents in the air, water, and soil, it cannot be wiped out completely.