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Gerber baby food warning


Gerber Baby Food Lawsuits — Lawsuit Information Center

Current research and testing have shown that Gerber and other major brands of baby food contain dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. These harmful metals are well known to cause health complications and neurologic damage in developing children. The development of conditions such as ADHD and autism may be linked to the consumption of these toxic baby foods.

The product liability lawyers at Miller & Zois are currently seeking cases from children (and their parents) who consumed contaminated Gerber baby foods and were later diagnosed with neurologic health conditions such as autism.

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Gerber Baby Food Found to Contain High Levels of Toxic Metals

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium are well known to be toxic to the human body. Many of them, such as lead and mercury, have been specifically linked to neurological problems in young children with developing brains. This is why keeping these metals away from children has been a major public health priority for many years. Unfortunately, recent research has shown that we may have actually been feeding these toxic metals to our children for years.

In 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy released a Staff Report entitled Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury (the “Staff Report”). The Staff Report detailed the Subcommittee’s findings from an investigation into claims that major baby foods like Gerber were being sold with high levels of toxic heavy metals. The Subcommittee investigation was based on lab test results and internal documents from baby food manufacturers.

The results of the investigation fully confirmed that Gerber and other commercial baby foods “are tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. ” The Staff Report also noted that exposure to these contaminants is harmful to infant neurological development and brain function.

Heavy Metal Levels in Gerber Baby Foods

The Staff Report found unsafe levels of heavy metals in baby food products from 7 of the largest manufacturers in the U.S., including Gerber, which is the biggest baby food manufacturer in the world. The Staff Report details the levels of toxins found in the various food brands based on testing. The levels of toxic metals in Gerber were much lower compared to other major brands, but they were still well above the maximum safe levels set by the FDA.

(a) Arsenic Levels in Gerber Baby Food

Of all the toxin heavy metals covered by the Staff Report, arsenic is considered the most hazardous. In young children, exposure to arsenic is known to cause not only neurologic problems, but it can also damage the central nervous system.

Both the FDA and the EPA have set maximum safe arsenic levels for bottled water at 10 ppb. The Staff Report found that Gerber baby food products used ingredients that contained over 90 ppb inorganic arsenic based on lab testing. This is 9 times the FDA maximum safe level.

(b) Lead Levels in Geber Baby Food

Lead is considered the second most toxic of the heavy metals that are known to post a threat to human health. Lead exposure (even at small levels) is associated with a range of bad health outcomes, particularly neurologic and cognitive developmental issues in children.

The FDA’s maximum safe level for lead is 5 ppb in drinking water, 20 ppb in juice and 100 ppb in candy products. According to the Staff Report, Geber used ingredients in its baby food that tested as high as 48 ppb for lead.

(c) Mercury Levels in Gerber Baby Food

Mercury ranks 3rd behind arsenic and lead in terms of the most harmful of the heavy metals featured in the Staff Report on baby foods. Studies have shown that pre-natal exposure to mercury can lead to adverse neurologic development. More specifically, high blood levels of mercury in toddlers have been positively associated with “autistic behaviors.”

Mercury can be harmful even at extremely low levels. The FDA has capped the maximum safe level of mercury in drinking water at 2 ppb. The Staff Report does not contain information on the levels of mercury in Geber baby foods because the Subcommittee relied on information provided by Gerber. Gerber advised the committee that is does not test for mercury in its products.

(d) Cadmium Levels in Gerber Baby Food

Cadmium ranks fourth on the list of hazardous toxic metals in baby foods. Cadmium exposure in children has been linked to lower IQ and the development of ADHD. The FDA has set the maximum safe limit for cadmium in drinking water at 5 ppb. The Staff Report found that Gerber baby food products containing carrots were contaminated with cadmium. Over 75% of Gerber’s carrot foods contained over 5 ppb cadmium and some contained up to 87 ppb.

Heavy Metals in Gerber Baby Food May Cause Autism and Other Conditions

The toxic health effects of heavy metals are well recognized, but a growing body of scientific research is beginning to specifically connect exposure to these materials to autism, ADD, and other neurologic disorders. A number of medical studies have identified a connection between regular exposure to heavy metals during gestation, infancy, and childhood and higher rates of autism.

A study published in 2014 looked at the impact of prenatal and early infancy exposures to mercury. The study concluded that mercury exposure resulted in a twofold increase in the risk of developing both autism or ADD. Three years later, a similar study on children in Korea found a similar association between mercury exposure and autism/ADD rates.

A possible connection between arsenic exposure and higher autism rates was identified in a meta-analysis study conducted by a research team at the University of Buffalo and published in 2019. A more extensive study was published the following year which found the same positive association between autism and exposure to mercury, arsenic, and cadmium during infancy.

Gerber Baby Food Autism Lawsuits

The Staff Report regarding heavy metals in baby foods like Gerber has led to a number of product liability lawsuits against Gerber by parents claiming that their children developed autism (or other disorders). These lawsuits are partly based on the findings in the Staff Report which clearly show that Gerber was aware of the fact that its baby food products contained heavy metals well above the maximum safe limits set by the FDA.

Since the Staff Report was published in February 2021, Gerber Products Company has been named as a defendant in a number of consumer class action and product liability lawsuits involving toxic metals in baby food products. Our firm is currently seeking Gerber toxic baby food lawsuits. Call today for a free consultation 800-553-8082.

 

 

Baby Food Products Recall 2022: Are There Harmful Chemicals & Toxic Metals In Your Baby’s Food? Gerber, Happy Baby, Beechnut, etc.

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Overview

Did you know that 95% of baby food products contain harmful chemicals and toxic metals — and many are from the most popular brands? (1)(2)

These baby foods contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium.

Exposure to these heavy metals can cause permanent damage to your baby’s brain development. It may lead to IQ decrease and antisocial behavior. (3)(4)

Have these contaminated products been recalled? Did the baby food makers solve the problem and compensate the affected consumers?

Read on to get answers to your baby food recall concerns.

Baby Formula Recall & Shortage 2022

Update: May 11, 2022

Baby Formula Shortage 2022

Although prepared in liquid form, infant formula is also baby food.

That’s why the baby formula shortage of 2022 makes parents worried, especially after recent reports from research firm Datasembly showed that the nationwide out-of-stock rate has reached 43%. (5)

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), as many as 75% of babies in the US are likely given formula products by six months of age. (6)

Worried parents and caregivers are having a difficult time finding stocks, especially because formula retailers are also rationing available supplies.

Many areas, such as Texas and West Virginia, temporarily expanded the WIC program (Women, Infants and Children) to include other formula brands. (7)(8)

The baby formula shortage began during the pandemic and was first attributed to supply chain issues. However, the massive recall of Similac products worsened the shortage.

Similac Infant Formula Recall 2022

In February 2022, Abbott Nutrition issued two recall announcements after their products were linked to Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella infection, which led to several hospitalizations and two infant deaths. (9)

The company also received multiple consumer complaints of infants getting sick after taking the formulas.

Infant formula products that are part of the recall: (10)

  • First recall: Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas
  • Second recall: One lot of Similac PM 60/40, with lot number 27032K80 (can) or 27032K800 (case)

Liquid formulas aren’t included in the recalled products.

Ingestion of infant formula contaminated with Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella can lead to meningitis and sepsis. Symptoms can include the following: (9)

  • Temperature changes
  • Grunting breaths
  • Unusual movements
  • Irritability
  • Poor feeding or no appetite
  • Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes)

Newborns and young babies are more prone to experiencing serious symptoms. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms.

Although the infant deaths were determined to be due to Cronobacter Sakazakii infection, Abbott Nutrition maintains that the strains found in the investigation of the bacterial infections don’t match those in their facility in Sturgis, Michigan, and the recalled products. (10)

Alarming 2021 Government Report Findings

In February 2021, a congressional report by the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy called out major baby food manufacturers for selling products tainted with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. (2)

Which Baby Food Brands Are Toxic?

These name brands were listed:

  • Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY and HappyTOT)
  • Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
  • Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
  • Gerber
  • Campbell’s Plum Organics
  • Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
  • Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)

Eight months later, the same subcommittee released a second baby food report in September 2021.

This follow-up report found that many of the same brands called out previously were still producing and under-reporting baby products that tested at much higher levels than considered safe.

Is There A Recall On Gerber Baby Food 2021?

What’s more concerning, companies such as Gerber failed to disclose these alarming results to the public and kept these tainted products on the market thereby failing to protect consumers. (2)

Spearheading the subcommittee reports is Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who released this statement on his official Instagram page:

“My Subcommittee’s investigation has pulled back the curtain on the baby food industry, and each revelation has been more damning than the last.

I’ve released a new report on toxic metals in baby food, including popular brands such as Gerber’s Infant Rice Cereal products containing dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic.

We trust these companies with our babies, and they have failed us.”

Is There A Baby Food Recall 2021?

Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal

  • Date Recalled: October 08, 2021
  • Reasons For Recall: The products tested above government standards for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic (11)
  • Company: Maple Island Inc.
  • Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-369-1022 or email at [email protected]

Affected products are 8-oz. packages of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal (UPC number 00681131082907) from these lots: (11)

  • Lot 21083 with a best-if-used-by date of June 24, 2022
  • Lot 21084 with a best-if-used-by date of June 25, 2022
  • Lot 21242 with a best-if-used-by date of November 30, 2022

No illnesses have been reported in this recall and no other Parent’s Choice products have been affected. (11)

Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal

  • Date Recalled: June 8, 2021
  • Company Name: Beech-Nut
  • Reasons For Recall: High arsenic levels
  • Affected Products: UPC Code# 52200034705; Product codes 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX; Expiration date 01 MAY 2022 (12)
  • Return or Refund Processing: www.beechnut.com/ricecereal or 1-866-272-9417

Statement from Jason Jacobs, Beech-Nut’s vice president for food safety and quality: (13)

“The safety of infants and children is Beech-Nut‘s top priority. We are issuing this voluntary recall because we learned through routine sampling by the State of Alaska that a limited quantity of Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal products had levels of naturally-occurring inorganic arsenic above the FDA guidance level, even though the rice flour used to produce these products tested below the FDA guidance level for inorganic arsenic.”

Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box

  • Date Recalled: May 20, 2021
  • Company Name: Primary Colors Design Corp.
  • Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg content (allergen)
  • Affected Products: UPC 84512050159; lot 091820; expiration date 09/18/2021 (14)
  • Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or 419-903-0403

What Baby Food Brands Are Being Recalled?

  • Parent’s Choice
  • Beech-Nut
  • Peppa Pig

There have also been food recalls in 2020 and previous years:

Baby Food Recall 2020

Lidl Lupilu Pouches (UK)

  • Date Recalled: February 12, 2020
  • Company Name: Lidl
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of mold (15)
  • Return or Refund Processing: Return to store for a refund

Affected Products (all batches/lots of these Lupilu pouches):

  • Apples & Strawberries, Stage 1
  • Bananas & Apples, Stage 1
  • Banana & Peaches, Stage 1
  • Apples, Carrots, & Parsnips, Stage 1
  • Butternut Squash, Apples, Carrots & Prunes, Stage 1
  • Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Apples & Blueberries, Stage 1
  • Organic Apple, Stage 1
  • Banana Yoghurt with Oats & Rice, Stage 2
  • Banana, Blueberries, & Rice, Stage 2
  • Mango Yoghurt with Oats & Rice, Stage 2

Cow & Gate Baby Food Jars (UK)

  • Date Recalled: January 25, 2020
  • Company Name: Cow & Gate; Tesco
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible tampering of these products in Tesco stores in the UK (United Kingdom). (16)
  • Return or Refund Processing: Tesco Customer Services (0800-917-6897) or Cow & Gate (0800-977-8880).

Affected Products (all batches/lots of Cow & Gate 7+ months variants in 200g jars):

  • Butternut Squash Chicken & Pasta
  • Courgette & Hake Rice
  • Creamy Cauliflower Cheese
  • Garden Pea & Turkey
  • Potato Spinach & Beef
  • Potato & Turkey Roast
  • Spaghetti Bolognese
  • Succulent Pork Casserole
  • Tasty Cottage Pie
  • Tomato & Courgette Pasta
  • Yummy Harvest Chicken
  • Apple Crumble
  • Banana Crumble
  • Peach Apple & Kiwi
  • Rice Pudding

Baby Food Recall 2019

Herbal Tea for Infants by Mountain Mel’s

  • Date Recalled: August 29, 2019
  • Company Name: Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with Salmonella (bacteria that causes fever, diarrhea, and muscle cramps). (17)
  • Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or 503-564-9135.

Affected Products (all stamped with “best before date: 7/2021”):

  • The Milk Lady’s Tea; UPC 7-99632-05658-4 with LOT# ML6271950
  • Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea; UPC 7-99632-05656-0 with LOT# PB781950
  • Diges-Teas Herbal Tea; UPC 7-99632-05665-2 with LOT# DT7619100

Heinz Turkey Stew 8+ Baby Food (Canada)

  • Date Recalled: August 16, 2019
  • Company Name: Kraft Heinz Canada
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of insects
  • Affected Products: UPC 0-572200-6; product code 2021JN04 (18)
  • Return or Refund Processing: [email protected] or 1-866-572-3809

Cow & Gate Cheesy Broccoli Bake, Stage 3 (UK)

  • Date Recalled: May 13, 2019
  • Company Name: Cow & Gate
  • Reasons For Recall: May contain small pieces of blue rubber (19)
  • Affected Products: Batch code 28122020, best before date: 28 December 2020
  • Return or Refund Processing: live chat at www. cgbabyclub.co.uk/contact-us or call 0800-977-4000

Baby Food Recall 2018

Love Child Organics (Canada)

  • Date Recalled: May 26, 2018
  • Company Name: CGL FDS, Greenspace Brands Inc.
  • Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may allow entry of spoilage microorganisms (20)
  • Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store where you got them.

Affected Products (all with best before date code: 2019MA25):

  • Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potato + Kale; UPC 85886000170
  • Veggie Casserole with Lentils + Quinoa; UPC 85886000171
  • Ratatouille with Lentils + White Beans; UPC 85886000172
  • Pumpkin Risotto with Spinach + Chickpeas; UPC 85886000173
  • Mango Chicken Stew with Spinach + Quinoa; UPC 85886000174
  • Thanksgiving Dinner with Veggies + Turkey; UPC 85886000175
  • Hearty Bolognese with Beef + Quinoa; UPC 85886000176

PC Organics Baby Food Recall (Canada)

  • Date Recalled: May 26, 2018
  • Company Name: CGL FDS, Greenspace Brands Inc.
  • Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may cause spoilage (20)
  • Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store where you purchased them.

Affected Products (all strained baby foods with best before date code: 2019MA25):

  • Carrots; UPC 060383172800
  • Parsnip; UPC 060383172817
  • Peas; UPC 060383172824
  • Sweet Potatoes; UPC 060383172831
  • Vegetables & Turkey; UPC 060383174408
  • Fruity Chicken; UPC 060383174415
  • Spaghetti Bolognese; UPC 060383193201
  • Vegetable & Lentil; UPC 060383193218
  • Chicken Casserole; UPC 060383193225

Baby Food Recall 2017

Yummy Spoonfuls Chicken and Vegetable Products

  • Date Recalled: June 24, 2017
  • Company Name: Overhill Farms, Inc.
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of crushed chicken bones (21)
  • Return or Refund Processing: (844)-986-6948

Affected Products:

  • Chicken & Carrot Bites; with best before dates 02/01/18, 02/09/18, & 4/26/2018.
  • Chicken & Sweet Potato Bites; with best before dates 02/01/18 & 02/09/18.
  • Chicken & Broccoli Bites; with best before dates 08/30/17, 02/20/18, & 4/10/18.

Fully Cooked Organic Chicken and Vegetable Products

  • Date Recalled: June 24, 2017
  • Company Name: Overhill Farms, Inc.
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible presence of crushed chicken bones (21)
  • Return or Refund Processing: (844)-986-6948

Affected Products:

  • Chicken & Vegetable Patty; case code 320422 with packaging date 08/30/16.
  • Chicken Patties with Carrots and Cauliflower; case code 320460 with packaging date 02/09/17.
  • Chicken Patties with Sweet Potatoes, Quinoa, and Peas; case code 320430 with packaging dates 02/09/17 and 04/25/17.

Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups

  • Date Recalled: March 08, 2017
  • Company Name: Gerber Products Company
  • Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg allergen components on the product label. (22)
  • Affected Products: UPC code 159070
  • Return or Refund Processing: 1-800-510-7494

PC Organics Baby Food Recall (Canada & US)

  • Date Recalled: February 07, 2017
  • Company Name: Loblaw Companies Limited
  • Reasons For Recall: Manufacturing error may cause the growth of Clostridium botulinum (bacteria that causes food poisoning). (23)
  • Return or Refund Processing: Return to the store

Affected Products (all are strained baby foods or puree snacks)

  • Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea; UPC 060383062927
  • Apple Crisp Muffin flavor; UPC 060383137304
  • Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet; UPC 06038306996
  • Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry; UPC 06038305362
  • Apple; UPC 060383028404
  • Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt; UPC 06038304491
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt; UPC 06038304488
  • Apple Cherry; UPC 06038302843
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango; UPC 06038306294
  • Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour; UPC 060383137328
  • Banana Apple & Carrot; UPC 06038305363
  • Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat; 06038306995
  • Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa; UPC 06038306994
  • Pear; UPC 06038302842
  • Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach; UPC 06038305369
  • Blackberry Cobbler Flavour; UPC 060383137311
  • Banana & Kiwi; UPC 060383028466
  • Mango; UPC 060383028411
  • Banana & Raspberry; UPC 060383054809
  • Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice; UPC 06038305368
  • Banana Bread Flavour; UPC 060383135898
  • Pear, Apple and Broccoli; UPC 06038306291
  • Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot; UPC 06038305366
  • Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt; UPC 060383154301
  • Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt; UPC 06038304489
  • Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt; UPC 060383154318
  • Prunes; UPC 060383169633
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt; UPC 060383184278
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango; UPC 060383184292
  • Banana Apple & Carrot; UPC 060383184285
  • Mango; UPC 060383184308
  • Pear, Apple, and Broccoli; UPC 060383184261

Baby Food Recall 2016

H-E-B Baby Food Recall

  • Date Recalled: November 18, 2016
  • Company Name: H-E-B
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with rubber (24)
  • Return or Refund Processing: 1‑855‑432‑4438

Affected Products:

  • Banana Passion Fruit; UPC 4122081488
  • Banana Pineapple Mango; UPC 4122084761
  • Green Beans; UPC 4122005670
  • Banana Apple; UPC 4122000208
  • Green Beans Corn; UPC 4122005671
  • Banana; UPC 4122083207
  • Squash, Sweet Corn, & Tomato; UPC 4122066357
  • Pear, Carrot, & Blueberry; UPC 4122005673
  • Peas & Carrots; UPC 4122005685
  • Vegetable Chickpea Mix; UPC 4122005668
  • Banana, Carrot, & Mango; UPC 4122025540
  • Apple, Carrot, Pumpkin, & Zucchini; UPC 4122054253
  • Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, & Zucchini; UPC 4122066026
  • Peas; UPC4122005684
  • Apple; UPC 4122081487
  • Pear Pineapple, & Zucchini; UPC 4122018455
  • Pear, Peas, & Zucchini; UPC 4122079172
  • Sweet Potato; UPC 412200568

Gerber Organic 2ND FOODS Pouches

  • Date Recalled: March 24, 2016
  • Company Name:
  • Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects may result in product spoilage during transport and handling. (25)
  • Return or Refund Processing: 1-800-706-0556

Affected Products:

  • Pears, Carrots & Peas; best before dates July 12, 2016 (batch code 51945335XX), and July 13, 2016 (batch code 51955335XX)
  • Carrots, Apples & Mangoes; best before dates July 13, 2016 (batch code 51955335XX), and July 14, 2016 (batch code 51965335XX)

GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches

  • Date Recalled: March 2016
  • Company Name: Materne North America Corp.
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination from food product residues (26)
  • Affected Products: Pouches with best before dates 12/4/15 to 3/4/17 and codes US01XXXX to US08XXXX.
  • Return or Refund Processing: 1-844-275-5841 or visit voucher.gogosqueez.com

Baby Food Recall 2015

Beech-Nut CLASSICS Sweet Potato & Chicken

  • Date Recalled: April 14, 2015
  • Company Name: Beech-Nut Nutrition, Amsterdam, New York
  • Reasons For Recall: Possible contamination with glass (27)
  • Affected Products: Product numbers 12395750815 through 12395750821; product expiry date DEC 2016
  • Return or Refund Processing: Return to store or call (518) 839-0300

Congressional Report On Toxic Baby Foods

The US Congress’ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy requested test results from these seven popular baby food companies following reports alleging high levels of toxic heavy metals: (2)

  • Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY)
  • Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
  • Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
  • Gerber
  • Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics)
  • Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
  • Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)

According to the Congressional Report, Campbell, Walmart, and Sprout refused to cooperate.

So, the Subcommittee expressed concern that these baby food companies might be hiding higher levels of toxic elements in their products.

Nurture, Hain, Beech-Nut, and Gerber provided the House Subcommittee with their test results and internal product testing policies.

But the Subcommittee was alarmed after these baby food manufacturers reported test results of products containing very high levels of heavy metals:

  • Inorganic arsenic
  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Mercury

Their test results showed that the products had heavy metals several times the maximum allowable levels set by the FDA (U. S. Food and Drug Administration).

FDA maximum limits in ppb (parts per billion) for bottled water: (28)

  • 10 ppb inorganic arsenic
  • 5 ppb lead
  • 5 ppb cadmium

FDA maximum limits for infant rice cereal:

  • 100 ppb inorganic arsenic

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit for drinking water (may also apply to food):

  • 2 ppb mercury

Instead of complying with regulators, these baby food manufacturers created internal standards that allowed dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals: (2)

  • Nurture (arsenic): 115 ppb
  • Beech-Nut (arsenic): 3,000 ppb
  • Beech-Nut (cadmium): 3,000 ppb
  • Beech-Nut (lead): 5,000 ppb
  • Hain (arsenic): 200 ppb
  • Hain (lead): 200 ppb
  • Hain (cadmium): 200 ppb

Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 180 ppb for Apple & Broccoli Puffs
  • Up to 160 for Banana & Pumpkin Puffs
  • Up to 160 for Strawberry & Beet Puffs
  • Up to 100 ppb for more than 25% of all Nurture products

Lead:

  • Up to 641 ppb for Blueberry Purple Carrot
  • Up to 560 ppb for Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
  • Up to 10 ppb for nearly 20% of all Nurture vegetable and rice products

Cadmium:

  • Up to 49 ppb in Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
  • Up to 36 ppb in Strawberry Raspberry
  • Up to 5 ppb in 65% of baby products

Mercury:

  • Up to 10 ppb in Brown Rice Cereal Canister
  • Up to 9. 8 ppb in Banana Sweet Potato

Findings/Response:

  • Nurture is the only baby food manufacturer that regularly tests finished products for heavy metals. The others only test ingredients.

In response to the investigation, Nurture told the Subcommittee: (2)

“Our heavy metal testing is performed as part of our monitoring program and not as a condition of product release. All of the products that were tested were sold into commerce.”

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 913.4 ppb in ingredients.
  • Over 300 ppb in additives used in their products

Lead:

  • Up to 886.9 ppb in ingredients.

Cadmium:

  • Up to 344.55 ppb in its ingredients.

Mercury:

  • No test for mercury.

Actions Taken:

  • Beech-Nut set very high internal maximum levels for heavy metals. So, all their ingredients passed their internal standards but actually failed government regulations and federal standards. (2)

Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 129 ppb in baby products
  • Up to 309 ppb in ingredients
  • The company only tested their ingredients, not the finished products.

Lead:

  • Up to 352 ppb in ingredients (vitamin premix)

Cadmium:

  • Up to 260 ppb in ingredients

Mercury:

  • No test for mercury

Actions Taken:

  • Hain admits to the Subcommittee that they’re only using “theoretical calculations” on their test results. (2)

Gerber

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 90 ppb in tested ingredients from 67 batches of rice flour

Lead:

  • Up to 48 ppb in ingredients (sweet potatoes)

Cadmium:

  • Over 5 ppb in 75% of carrot ingredients
  • Up to 87 ppb in some carrot batches
  • The company doesn’t test the other ingredients for this heavy metal.

Mercury:

  • No test for mercury.

Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 3.1 ppb

Lead:

  • Up to 5.6 ppb

Cadmium:

  • Up to 2.3 ppb

Mercury:

  • Less than 0.142 ppb

Actions Taken:

  • Results are for Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food.
  • The results above are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
  • Campbell refused to submit actual test results or standards/criteria they used for the tests. Instead, the company provided a report that each product “meets criteria” to the Subcommittee.

Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 56.1 ppb in (A) Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack
  • Up to 108 ppb in (B) Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks

Lead:

  • Up to 5.2 ppb in (A)
  • Up to 26. 9 ppb in (B)

Cadmium:

  • Up to 26.1 ppb in (A)
  • Up to 2.4 ppb in (B)

Mercury:

  • Up to 0.941 ppb in (A)
  • Up to 2.05 ppb in (B)

Actions Taken:

  • The above results are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
  • Walmart didn’t submit test results to the Subcommittee.

Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)

Inorganic Arsenic:

  • Up to 107 ppb

Lead:

  • Up to 39.3 ppb

Cadmium:

  • Up to 41.5 ppb

Mercury:

  • Up to 1.31 ppb

Actions Taken:

  • Results are for Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
  • The results listed are from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. (1)
  • Sprout never responded to the Subcommittee.

What Parents Should Know

  • Healthy Babies Bright Futures and other organizations call for baby food manufacturers to set a goal of zero levels of inorganic arsenic in all baby foods.
  • Consumer Reports suggest changing maximum inorganic arsenic levels to 3 ppb in baby foods. That’s lower than the current FDA and EPA limit of 10 ppb.
  • Consumer Reports also wants to lower cadmium limits to 1 ppb in fruit juices.

What Parents Can Do

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) advises offering your baby a variety of foods to reduce the levels of lead and other toxic heavy metals in their diet. (30)

Healthy Babies Bright Futures and Consumer Reports recommend the following healthier food options for young children: (1)

High-Risk Food: Snacks (including puffs) made from rice flour

Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives:

  • Rice-free packaged snacks
  • Multi-grain snacks
  • Apples
  • Applesauce (unsweetened)
  • Bananas
  • Barley with diced vegetables
  • Beans
  • Cheese
  • Grapes
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Peaches
  • Yogurt

High-Risk Food: Rice rusks and teething biscuits

Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives:

  • Frozen banana
  • Peeled and chilled cucumber

High-Risk Food: Single grain rice cereal

Heavy Metals: Arsenic

Healthier Alternatives:

  • Non-rice and multi-grain cereals
  • Oatmeal
  • Corn
  • Barley
  • Quinoa

High-Risk Food: Fruit juices from apple, pear, grape, and others

Heavy Metals: Lead and arsenic

Healthier Alternatives:

  • Tap water
  • Whole or pureed fruits (applesauce)

High-Risk Food: Carrots and sweet potatoes

Heavy metals: Lead and cadmium

Healthier Alternatives:

  • These vegetables are important in your baby’s diet.
  • They’re rich in vitamin A and other nutrients.
  • Limit your baby’s intake of these vegetables.
  • Serve these vegetables with others so they won’t be taken in excess.

Baby Food Safety Act Of 2021

US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) and Consumer Reports call on Congress to pass the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021. (29)

This law will require the FDA to adopt stricter limits for baby foods.

It will also require baby food manufacturers to test and disclose test results to parents and regulators.

Healthier Baby Food Brands

The following baby food brands are 100% safe, organic, and non-toxic:

  • Once Upon A Farm
  • Serenity Kids
  • Little Journey Organics
  • Yumi (subscription-based)
  • Little Spoon (subscription-based)

REFERENCES

(1) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf

(2) https://oversight. house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf

(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/

(5) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-formula-shortage-2022-states/

(6) https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2020-Breastfeeding-Report-Card-H.pdf

(7) https://texaswic.org/about-wic/special-wic-food-updates

(8) https://dhhr.wv.gov/News/2022/Pages/WIC-Introduces-Additional-Flexibilities-Amid-Powdered-Infant-Formula-Recall.aspx

(9) https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-not-use-certain-powdered-infant-formula-produced-abbott-nutritions-facility

(10) https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html

(11) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maple-island-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-three-lots-parents-choice-rice-baby-cereal

(12) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/beech-nut-nutrition-company-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-beech-nut-single-grain-rice-cereal-and

(13) https://www. goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/beech-nut-stop-selling-specific-baby-rice-cereal-78196121

(14) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primary-colors-design-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-peppa-pig-chocolate-chip-cookies

(15) https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-08-2020

(16) https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-03-2020

(17) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-mels-essential-goods-llc-recalls-milk-ladys-herbal-tea-blend-peaceful-baby-herbal-tea-blend

(18) https://inspection.canada.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2019-08-16/eng/1566012117302/1566012119453?print=1#r08

(19) https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-20-2019

(20) https://inspection.canada.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2018-05-26/eng/1527371146055/1527371148679

(21) https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/overhill-farms-inc.-recalls-chicken-products-due-possible-foreign-matter

(22) https://www. fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr

(23) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fda-posting-canadian-food-inspection-agencys-recall-notice-alert-us-consumers-who-may-have-purchased

(24) https://www.heb.com/static-page/article-template/heb-baby-food-recall-nov-2016

(25) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches

(26) https://www.gogosqueez.com/recall/

(27) https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/beech-nut-nutrition-recalls-baby-food-product-due-possible-foreign-matter

(28) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements

(29) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/

(30) https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/05/01/parentplus-babyfoodmetal050121

New horizons Onishchenko banned the import of Gerber baby food into Russia new "well-wishers".

On April 26, it became known that Rospotrebnadzor banned the supply of several types of baby food to Russia by the American company Gerber products, which is part of the Nestle group. nine0003

According to Onishchenko, this is a Gerber meal containing chicken and turkey meat. The reason for the ban was the use of chlorinated poultry meat in the production of baby food.

The fact is that in Russia, on January 1, 2010, a new technical regulation was introduced, four times reducing the maximum chlorine content in the solution for processing chicken meat. Treatment of chicken with chlorine is used in many countries, however, according to some experts, with this technology, harmful substances accumulate in the meat. nine0003

The head of Rospotrebnadzor noted that some suppliers, including Gerber products, "did not change the technology and sources of raw materials", despite the ban on chlorinated meat. "They (Gerber products) did not officially tell us about the replacement of this meat. Therefore, we are suspending the supply of these four types of products," Onishchenko said.

Gerber products was formerly owned by the Swiss pharmaceutical corporation Novartis. In 2007, the Nestle Group acquired Gerber for $5.5 billion, strengthening its market position. Gerber, whose annual turnover exceeds one billion dollars, is the world's largest manufacturer of baby food, and the Gerber brand is one of the most widespread in this segment of the Russian market. nine0003

Gennady Onishchenko. Photo courtesy of g8russia.ru

Lenta.ru

Until recently, Rospotrebnadzor had no complaints about Nestle products. However, nothing lasts forever: on April 21, for the first time, the sanitary department did not allow the supply of baby food to the Finnish branch of Nestle. According to Onishchenko, the reason for this decision was the "weakening of technological discipline" in Nestle in the production of products supplied to the Russian market. What is meant by "technological discipline" is still not clear: Onishchenko did not explain his words in any way. nine0003

The head of Rospotrebnadzor did not name a specific type of food that was banned for import, but later Andrei Bader, director of corporate affairs at Nestlé Russia Eurasia, told the Kommersant newspaper that most likely it was beef with vegetables. In total, more than 20 types of baby food are sent to Russia from the Finnish Nestle plant.

Nestle, however, noted that they have not yet received any official refusal documents. In addition, the company emphasized that the products presented to the market of Russia and the CIS countries undergo all the necessary checks confirming the safety and quality of products before they go on sale. nine0003

According to Step by Step, in 2009 the baby food market was worth $1.18 billion. At the same time, Nestle controlled 20 percent of the market, and its closest competitor, Nutricia, 19 percent. A year earlier, Nestle was in second place with a share of 17.2 percent, behind Wimm-Bill-Dann. Thus, Rospotrebnadzor chose the market leader for inspections, at the same time hinting to smaller producers that the same fate as Nestle could await them.

By the way, baby food manufacturers are not the only ones who have suffered from Russian technical regulations, including those for chicken meat. In January, the import of "Bush legs" into Russia was banned, after which US representatives began "chlorine" negotiations with Rospotrebnadzor and Rosselkhoznadzor. The last time the parties met in early March in Moscow, however, so far they have not reached an agreement on this issue. There is hope that if Russia and the United States agree on chicken meat, then not only chicken legs, but also baby food will once again enter the Russian market without hindrance. In any case, no one bans Nestle and Gerber products in other countries. nine0003

In baby food Gerber and Nurture Inc. found heavy metals

Experts from the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the US House of Representatives found dangerous levels of toxic metals in the baby food of several American brands. CNN writes about the progress of the investigation.

  • Testing found high levels of substances such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in baby products. These heavy toxic metals pose a serious health hazard to children. nine0036
  • Products from Gerber, Nurture Inc., Hain Celestial Group and Beech-Nutrition.
  • Manufacturers are accused of knowingly selling these unlabeled products to parents who are unaware of the risks they are putting their children at.
  • Experts and the World Health Organization also draw attention to the fact that exposure to these metals can lead to a decrease in intelligence, inhibition of the neurological development of infants and impaired brain function. nine0036

US baby food market situation

According to the 2019 Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) report, 95% of baby food samples tested contain at least one of four substances: arsenic, mercury, cadmium or lead.

  • Experts tested 168 baby food brands. 25% of them contained all four substances at once.
  • The researchers specifically recommended avoiding rice-based foods, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and fruit juices. nine0036
  • Instead, scientists recommended steaming vegetables for children, feeding them cereals, fruits for breakfast, and using a frozen banana or chilled cucumber to relieve teething pain.

In Russia

, New Zealand (1), Russia (4), Finland (1), Switzerland (1) and Estonia (1), which are sold in Russia. nine0003

  • Experts did not reveal any violations, but only the Belarusian product showed full compliance with all quality standards.
  • Experts tested the mixtures for microbiological safety and the presence of preservatives and antibiotics.
  • The results showed that the products are "free of dangerous microorganisms (including salmonella), mold and yeast, preservatives and antibiotics, lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic."

Child food poisoning cases