Baby food: heavy metals such as lead for the first time on labels
Baby food: heavy metals such as lead for the first time on labels
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Health risks in baby food
In some commercial baby products in the United States, dangerously high amounts of lead and other toxic heavy metals were found. So far, parents had no way to find out whether the baby food they bought had increased pollutant content.
The new law in California
A new law in California obliges manufacturers of baby food to commission a recognized laboratory with the monthly examination of representative samples of any baby food (except for infant food) to the values of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
From January 1, the manufacturers must publish the test results on their website. Everyone can view the results by scanning a QR code on the label of baby food with their smartphone.
transparency is the key
Although the new law only applies to the sale of baby food in California, large manufacturers such as Gerber and Beech-Nut report that they will introduce QR codes on baby food across the country. "This is a transparency law, and in public perception transparency creates responsibility," explained Jaclyn Bowen, managing director of the Clean Label Project , a non -profit organization used.
The terrifying history of heavy metals in baby food
In the past decade, studies by consumer organizations and a parliamentary subcommittee have uncovered alarming quantities of heavy metals in supermarket baby food. According to an examination of the congress from 2021, some samples of baby food contained up to 177 times higher lead values as well as up to 91 times and 69 times higher values for inorganic arsenic and carcasses than allowed for drinking water.These heavy metals are associated with serious health risks, including cancer, chronic diseases and neurotoxic effects, whereby the damage to the developing brain is most devastating.
The introduction of the Baby Food Safety Act
The combined examinations led to the introduction of the Baby Food Safety Act from 2024, which, however, currently stuck in the committees. California decided in October 2023 to take their own measures.
test standards for heavy metals
The California law requires manufacturers to test end products for a maximum of six parts per billion for each heavy metal. If the values exceed this limit, the manufacturers must clearly state this. Part of it would be comparable to adding a single drop of water in a 10,000 gallon pool, but according to the US health authorities, there is no lead for infants and toddlers.
preferably environmentally friendly suppliers
experts agree that manufacturers are careful by careful selection of their suppliers, for example from farmers who grow in less loaded soils that can significantly reduce salary toxic metals. Practices such as the absence of soil processing and the cultivation of interim fruits contribute to the fact that microbes in the soil connect with heavy metals and fewer toxins are available for plants.
expectations of implementation
The new law in California comes into force for all baby food manufactured from January 1, 2025. However, it is important that consumers know that existing products that do not meet the new guidelines do not have to be removed from the shelves. Products with new QR codes could be gradually introduced in the course of 2025.
transparency and quality assurance
Gerber, which belongs to Nestlé, has announced that the first products that will display the test results for heavy metals will be available in mid -January. Beech-Nut has also tested raw materials in the past 30 years and began examining the end products in 2022. To ensure that high quality is guaranteed, you carry out extensive tests and quality controls.
Check nutrient identification
Critics note that scanning a QR code and entering a batch number for busy supervisors can be uncomfortable to select baby food with the slightest pollutant. It is possible to create future platforms that lead consumers directly to the test results of a product. However, parents should be careful and check the nutritional information carefully.
The new legislation could lead to even greater reductions in heavy metals and other pollutants, while companies are fighting for the loyalty of consumers. "On January 1st it will be a bit like paying attention to the prices - every company will have to disclose your numbers," added Farber.