Consumer Reports tested 50 baby food products and found worrisome levels of heavy metals in most of them five years ago.
“They found that about two-thirds contained enough inorganic arsenic, lead and cadmium combined that are linked to potential health risk,” said Horacio Perez Sandoval, spokesman for Consumers Report.
Five years later, Consumer Reports retested seven of the baby foods that returned concerning levels of heavy metals in the original tests.
The maker of Enfamil announced a recall of about 145,000 cans of baby formula due to the potential for cross-contamination with bacteria that can cause serious illness or death.
Heavy metal levels decreased in three of them but for another three, the levels are still high enough to be a cause for concern.
According to Consumer Reports there were no changes to the seventh product.
“In 2018 and in our recent tests, baby snacks like bean bags and products made with sweet potato and rice fared the worst,” says Perez Sandoval.
“That’s because certain plants, like rice, take up higher levels of heavy metals than other plants.”
Beech-Nut, Gerber, Earth’s Best and Happy Family responded to Consumer Reports regarding the study. They noted that their products were safe and that heavy metals are found naturally in the environment in which these foods are grown. The makers of the Baby Mum products did not respond.
Gerber explained, in direct response to Telemundo Responde, that these metals occur naturally in soil and water and are not added during the production process.
Beech-Nut Nutrition also announced that it will stop selling baby rice cereals because it is concerned about the ability to source rice flour below the FDA allowable level for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. More information at: WWW.BEECHNUT.COM/RICECEREAL
They assured that they are working with their farmers to choose optimal growing locations and test their products, water, ingredients and food so that they are safe.
Beech-Nut said it analyzes both raw materials and products in its lab, adding that they have stopped producing rice products due to inconsistencies in arsenic levels.
The other companies did not respond to requests from Telemundo Responde.
Long-term health problems
Long-term ingestion of heavy metals can lead to increased risk of various health problems, which may include, but are not limited to:
- a lower IQ;
- behavior problems related to attention deficit disorder and autism;
- increased risk of cancer and other problems in young children.
Consumer Reports experts believe that, even with the new levels, it is important to reduce exposure and protect your family.
“You don’t want to completely eliminate foods like sweet potatoes, because they do have nutritional value,” Perez Sandoval said. “Only remember; variety is the key. make sure your kids eat a wide variety of healthy foods.”
He says the Trump administration refused to do anything about it after being notified.
Options low in heavy metals include:
- baby cereals made from oats and other whole grains other than rice;
- fresh and frozen fruit;
- eggs;
- beans;
- Apple puree;
- cheese; and
- yogurt.
The experts also recommended reducing the amount of bean bags and tooth crackers you give your babies, as these are more likely to be high in heavy metals and highly processed foods.
