When parents first heard the news that many major baby food brands contain dangerous amounts of toxic heavy metals, most believed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would step in to better protect children from arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. As expected, the report has instigated the filing of class action lawsuits against the baby food manufacturers named in the report. ", A spokesperson for Beech-Nut Nutrition which has also been hit with a class action lawsuit - said: Weve received the complaint and plan to respond appropriately through the legal process after wed had the opportunity to thoroughly review it. For babies who are 10 months and older, a chunkier puree will be better. Organic vegetables are a great choice for babies. "While the Subcommittee report notes proposed limits on specific heavy metals, those are based on proposed standards from the Baby Food Safety Act, which are not current law or regulation. 297. googletag.display('text-ad1'); One of the main benefits is that they are high in nutrients. They should focus first and foremost on eating organic. NEW FOODS & SARAF FOODS are now OVEGI - ROHA Group is excited to announce a new brand name to their dried ingredients range, New Foods & Saraf As predicted, several baby food brands have been hit with class action lawsuits alleging false advertising and violations of state consumer protection laws, following the publication of a congressional committee report raising alarm bells about heavy metals in baby food. This makes it a healthier choice for your childs first few months. (4), In response to the investigation, the company wrote to Subcommittee Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi that heavy metal testing is only done for its internal monitoring program under the company policy. If the plums are too soft, you can also use a paring knife and then your fingers to separate the skin from the fruit. The following are some healthy alternatives to the unsafe products in the report: Instead of worrying about food recalls, preparing fresh and organic baby foods at home might be a good idea. And now the lawsuits Plum, Gerber, Beech-Nut, Hain, hit with class The governments Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a responsibility to protect the health of babies. In this article well discuss the risks associated with it. And since babies often eat rice, this is a problem, since the FDA has no standards for arsenic in food. They also want the FDA to address the other heavy metals detected in baby food, such as cadmium and mercury, which arent included in the agencys new proposal. (3), Last February 2021, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the U.S. Congress released a detailed Congressional Report on toxic products prepared by seven popular baby food companies. Gerber, Beech-Nut, HappyBABY and Earth's Best Organic baby foods test In a similar case*** filed vs Hain Celestial Group (maker of the Earth's Best baby food brand), plaintiff Alyssa Mays argues: "Contrary to the representations made on the label and packaging of the products, the products contain heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium and lead at levels above what is considered safe for babies. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. Leading baby food manufacturers knowingly sold products with high - CNN ", The FDA announced in April its Closer to Zero plan, which has a goal of reducing exposure to toxic elements in foods eaten by kids and babies "to the lowest possible levels. The agency has failed to adequately regulate baby food NY attorney general urges FDA to set standards for heavy metals, ROHA rebrands its dried ingredients range New Foods & Saraf Foods to OVegi, News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology. Did anyone else make this type of baby food? function sanitize_gpt_value2(gptValue) In its August 2022 report, HBBF tested 288 foods and analyzed more than 7,000 additional baby food testing data from published studies. One brand, Plum Organics, contained 225 ppb of inorganic arsenic, double the FDAs action level. (3) (4) In January 2023, the FDA finally proposed lead limits as a result of these findings. Gerber is a great brand for baby food and the best place to find coupons for Gerber baby food would be in the coupon inserts in Sunday newspapers. Gerber Products Company - Wikipedia Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Several popular baby food brands contain "high levels" of toxic heavy metals -- and they are not doing enough to stop the practice, according to a new report released Wednesday by a U.S. House Oversight subcommittee. In fact, we released the data highlighted in this report in February 2021 and published it on our web site at that time. Theyre also creating a new food safety unit. Attorneys contacted by FoodNavigator-USA said such lawsuits deploy a kind of halo theory increasingly featuring in proposed class actions in which plaintiffs claim that reasonable consumers (in this case, parents of babies/young children) would not expect to see any level of contaminants, pesticide residues, heavy metals and so on in foods that present themselves as healthy and nutritious. It could lead to a decrease in IQ and possible antisocial behavior in young children. Below are some of the baby foods that the HBBF report indicated for high levels of mercury: Baby foods least contaminated with toxic metals (in order of least contaminated): The HBBF report recommends parents limit or rotate the following food products to avoid heavy metals: The FDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that babies and young children exposed to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and/or mercury may suffer from permanent decreases in IQ, increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior, and untreatable, potentially permanent brain damage. Beech-Nut called its products safe and nutritious. Its best to avoid preparing these foods for your baby. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Regulation And why did Gerber fail to notify consumers? ", Gerber has also been hit with a lawsuit alleging violations of consumer protection laws. Plum Organics They also eclipse the levels of such metals the government allows in bottled water, including up to 91 times the arsenic level, up to 177 times the lead level, up to 69 times the cadmium level, and up to five times the mercury level. The recent recall of Gerber plum baby food is the latest chapter in a string of consumer complaints. Any product testing is managed by its suppliers, and its private label baby food manufacturers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, Walmart said. Keller and Heckman offers global food and drug services to its clients. A congressional report found many of the products made by the country's largest commercial baby food manufacturers contain significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead,. The first reason is that it didnt do its job of properly notifying the public about its tests in Alaska. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. The rest of the baby food manufacturers mentioned in the report didnt issue a recall as well. So, a great way to introduce plums is to prepare your own. "Today's report reveals that companies not only under-report the high levels of toxic content in their baby food, but also knowingly keep toxic products on the market," Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, said in a statement. For babies who have only been fed breast milk, switching to solids can be difficult. You can store the leftover puree in the refrigerator or freeze it for up to 3 months. Sliding Into Your DMs With a Court Summons, OMB Seeks Input on Bioeconomy-Related Industries and Products. report released last week by a House Oversight subcommittee, Many parents are feeding babies solid food too soon, CDC says, Inorganic arsenic levels in some baby rice cereals are too high, FDA says, Medical roundup: Flu season, toxic chemicals in baby foods, Baby bottles can shed millions of microplastic particles: What parents need to know, Jenna talks about baby Hal eating real food for the 1st time, Government set to make its first dietary advice for babies: What parents need to know, Have a new baby? ", Walmart said in response to the report's findings that it has "always required that our suppliers' products meet the guidelines established by the FDA. Gerber products company Campbell soup Overview Searching for a milk formula for your little one, but unsure which one to pick? On February 5th, the day after the reports release, a pair of consumer class action complaints were filedone against Gerber in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and theotheragainst Plum, PBC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. We need the kind of congressional oversight that was provided in this report, he said. (4), FDA maximum limits in ppb or parts per billion for infant rice cereal: (5). In its August 2022 report, HBBF tested 288 foods and analyzed more than 7,000 additional baby food testing data from published studies. You can also check with your pediatrician about which foods to add to your babys diet. Note that rice and rice flour can have high levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. It is important to remember that infants and babies consume more food in relation to their body weight and absorb cadmium more readily than adults. Instead, these baby food companies created internal standards with increased limits. Many were at dangerous levels, higher than the limits set by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). This can't be fully just relying on parents to do their own thing. (11)(12), (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/, (2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/, (3) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf, (4) https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf, (5) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements, (6) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/, (7) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr, (8) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches, (9) https://fox17.com/news/spotlight-on-america/update-first-court-battle-over-toxic-metals-in-baby-food-set-for-trial-in-2023, (10) https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-31/after-baby-formula-scandal-fda-announces-new-unit-focused-on-food-safety, (11) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/health/fda-lead-baby-food.html, (12) https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/baby-food/fda-proposes-new-limits-for-lead-in-baby-foods-a2167994237/, Motherhood Community is reader supported. In response to these allegations, the FDA has proposed a Baby Food Safety Act to limit the amount of heavy metals in infant foods. Yet, the actual results are still several times higher than the FDA standards. The following results also come from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report: (3). $1.39. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening for elevated lead levels in children 9 to 12 months old, and again around age 2. These problems have prompted calls for tighter regulation of baby food. There currently isn't good data to allow for picking certain baby food brands over others when it comes to heavy metal contamination, Trasande said. SCOTUS Appears Poised To Reject Defense-Friendly Safeco Scienter West Virginia Passes the PFAS Protection Act, Price Transparency CMS Updates Enforcement Process, Get Ready for FDA Investigations Over Semaglutide, EPA Proposes Regulatory Limits for PFAS in Drinking Water. Organic foods are also higher in protein and fat. Florida Gun Law Bars Employers from Conditioning Employment on Carry Authorization. Another brand, Gerber, also contains 225 ppb of inorganic arsenic, more than twice the action level for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When purchased online. Below you will find baby foods that tested at high levels for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. The report found that: 94% of all food samples tested had detectable amounts of toxic heavy metals. This will help your baby adjust to solid foods. *The case is Gulkarov et al v Plum, PBC 3:21-cv-00913 filed in the Northern District of California on Feb 5, 2021. Pureed vegetables and fruits, sometimes combined with rice cereal and formula, or breastmilk, are the first foods that babies consume. During a congressional hearing in 2014, Plum Organics and Gerber were named as big offenders, which led to widespread consumer concern. Sweet potatoes and carrots can also have high levels of lead and cadmium. The following results also come from the. The congressional report examined outdated data and does not reflect our current practices, the company noted in a statement. The choice of a lawyer or other professional is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Gerber is the classic baby food brand, and they've made changes over the last few years to make their food more health-conscious (e.g . Baby food . Pureed plums can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Heavy metals in baby food: How should the food industry respond? The report calls out the industrys alleged "failure to end harmful practices.". (10), The new unit will also be tasked to improve US nutrition to address the declining life expectancy, possibly due to chronic diseases linked with poor nutrition. ", "The FDA made us aware of their contact from the State of Alaska about a sample of our rice cereal that tested slightly above the guidance level for inorganic arsenic set by the FDA, and was referenced in the report. Concern over heavy metals in baby food has existed for a long time and the findings arent surprising, said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a pediatrics professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards at NYU Langone in New York City. Earth's Best Organics. While there are no federally mandated upper limits for lead, mercury and cadmium in baby foods, the FDA sets maximum allowable levels in bottled water at 10 ppb inorganic arsenic, 5 ppb lead, and 5 ppb cadmium, while the EPA has capped the allowable level of mercury in drinking water at 2 ppb. It may also lead to IQ decrease and antisocial behavior. BABY FOOD DESSERTS GERBER RECIPES All You Need is Food - Stevehacks Unlike traditional baby food, Plum Organics contains no added sugar, salt, or artificial colors or flavors. Now I'm not going to say that any level of these metals is safe. Prepared Foods Only the raw materials are tested. Plum Flavored Baby Food : Target Best organic baby food pouches: Plum Organics Stage 1; . While you can puree raw plums, you should bring them to room temperature to improve their texture and taste. Some experts have predicted it may take even longer than the proposed 2024 date to make significant changes to industry practices. At Gerber, babies are our highest priority. Beechnut Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: Reviews On What You Need To Know, Everything You Need To Know About The HappyBABY Organic Food Recalls 2021-2023, Whats The Best Wearable Breast Pump? Plant-based, alt proteins, precision fermentation, 08-Feb-2021 (1)(2), Whats alarming is that as much as 95% of baby food products from some of the most popular brands in the U.S. contain significant levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Made with fruit that meets Gerber's high quality standards, this non-GMO Gerber baby food stage 2 recipe includes 1/8 banana, 1/4 cup pineapple fruit juice and 2 teaspoons cooked rice for a . Banana Plum Grape. { This food is recommended for babies who are just starting to taste pureed foods. (4), for close to 20% of Nurture vegetables and, declared that all its raw materials passed, . Manufacturers allowed baby food contaminated with heavy metals to - CNN Other important ways to reduce heavy metal exposure for kids include families making sure their homes are checked for lead-based paint and pregnant women eating fish low in mercury, Trasande advised. Gerber. if (i!=(aTags.length-1)) NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us. or use the appliances you already have in your kitchen in preparing your babys food. They point out leads serious impact on childrens health, including reduced IQ, neurological and developmental impairment, behavior problems, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Beech-Nut Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: What You Need To Know The law will also direct the FDA to adopt and implement stricter limits for baby foods. Up to 560 ppb in Multi-Grain Cereal Canister Up to 641 ppb in Blueberry Purple Carrot Cadmium: Up to 5 ppb in 65% of Nurture baby products Up to 36 ppb in Strawberry Raspberry Up to 49 ppb for Multi-Grain Cereal Canister Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut) var reg = new RegExp('\\W+', "g"); FoodNavigator-USA readers cansave 10% with Code:D10-825-825FX01, Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are 2023 - William Reed Ltd - All Rights Reserved - Full details for the use of materials on this site can be found in the Terms & Conditions, Related topics August 7, 2022 In Fruits Plum Organics baby food pouches are an organic baby food line made for ages 4 months and up. Experts point out though that heavy metals are found all over, and in order to suffer detrimental effects, a person would have to be exposed to toxic heavy metals for a prolonged period of time, and a one-time ingestion of the levels found in baby food products would not be considered dangerous. USCIS Releases FY2024 Cap Registration Statistics and Announces Another Letter From Congress Complaining About Pharmaceutical Patents. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. People You can use the coupons to save money on your purchases. The companys recall of two types of baby food pouches in March 2014 has caused customers to seek medical attention for their children, some of whom became lethargic after consuming the product. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. A recent study by the EPA found that food is a major source of lead in young children. Below are some of the baby foods that the HBBF report indicated for high levels of cadmium: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a maximum allowable limit of 2 parts per billion (ppb) mercury in drinking water, yet the levels of mercury in some common baby food is twice that in some cases. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has filed a lawsuit against Gerber and its competitor Plum Organics. (9), Experts help the law team convince the judge by explaining how heavy metals interact with the brain. However, the company is still using a lot of pear juice in its baby foods. The baby food manufacturers named in the report were: (1) Nurture Inc. (which sells Happy Family Organics, including baby food products under the brand name HappyBABY); (2) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company; (3) Hain Celestial Group (which sells baby food products under the brand name Earths Best Organic); (4) Gerber; (5) Campbell Soup Company (which sells baby food products under the brand name Plum Organics); (6) Walmart Inc. (which sells baby food through its private brand Parents Choice); and (7) Sprout Foods, Inc. In the new report released Wednesday, the subcommittee says Beech-Nut recalled just two of its six infant rice cereal products that tested over the FDA's limit of inorganic arsenic earlier this year, while Gerber did not recall either of its two products that also tested over the limit. How Many Calories Are in a Taco Salad With Ground Beef and Shell.
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