A report recently conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund, a not for profit, nonpartisan advocacy group, shows that twenty percent of baby food samples taken in their studies were positive for lead that is higher than the incidence of lead being in regular food. A vegetable and beef baby food was found to be the highest in lead, but it is unfortunate that the study did not name names for the brands of baby food. The study showed that fruit juices, root vegetables, and cookies were the baby foods containing lead most often. Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other government agencies are very slow in responding to science that shows no amounts of lead are safe in baby food, so lead positive baby foods currently meet current government standards. While the FDA is said to be working with baby food manufacturers to see what might work to limit the amount of lead found in foods frequently given to children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated way back in 2012 that there are no safe levels of lead for children. The food manufacturers are working to play this down and point fingers to lead being “naturally” in soil and water all over the world. Researchers counter this argument by stating that lead in soil is often not “naturally” occurring and instead from pesticides, leaded gasoline, industrial sources, and processing in food handling equipment. The Environmental Defense Fund is aware that perhaps lead cannot be limited altogether, but they are working to push food manufacturers to test more during processing and voluntarily set a 1 ppb of lead in baby food limit.
Why should consumers be concerned about lead in their child’s food? Research has found that children with higher lead in their blood are more likely to suffer from lower IQ’s that are associated with difficulties in school and learning, as well as cognitive and speech problems. While the fight continues with advocacy groups trying to get the government to tighten food/lead standards, and push the food manufacturers themselves, parents must ask themselves what to do about their own baby’s diet. Fortunately, in this age of health consciousness many parents have gone to making their own baby food out of organic ingredients to better now what is going into their baby’s nutrition. All parents must weigh out the pros and cons of using manufactured baby foods, versus homemade foods and make decisions for what will be safest for their family.
Inserra Kelley Sewell, Personal Injury Attorneys, strives to keep its readership aware of potential dangers to themselves and their loved ones in a world full of product dangers and recalls. If you or one of your loved one has been ill-impacted by a product do not hesitate to contact the firm to inquire as to whether you might have a claim.