Parents are always hearing about the dangers of lead and other toxins for babies and young children. This is why it’s so concerning when it shows up in their food and drink!
Exposure to contaminants such as cadmium may have an affect your child’s brain, cognitive skills, immune system, and more. A new study released by the non-profit group, Clean Label Project, tested over 500 baby food products which contain traces of acrylamide, lead, arsenic, cadmium, or BPA.
According to NIH, babies are particularly susceptible to the dangers of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Lead has been shown to be a cause of brain damage, low IQ, developmental disabilities, and an impaired nervous system.
It can also be poisonous to the kidneys, bones, reproductive, and respiratory system, cadmium is also classified as a carcinogen. Lead is commonly found in the earth and batteries.
The chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) is commonly found in plastic and is connected to a number of health issues, including heart, fertility, and endocrine system problems.
Acrylamide and arsenic may be introduced into the body through food or drinking water.
With acrylamide, symptoms usually affect the nervous system and skin. Arsenic toxicity may be quite sneaky, but affects the organs and is also a carcinogen.
Here are the statistics for the items tested by the Clean Label Project:
10% tested positive for acrylamide
36% tested positive for lead
58% tested positive for cadmium
65% tested positive for arsenic
60% of products with a “BPA-Free” claim tested positive
Out of the 86 baby formula products the group tested, these were in the bottom five:
- Peaceful Planet ToddlerSupreme Natural Vanilla Organically Grown Rice Dietary Supplement
- Abbott EleCareHypoallergenic Amino Acid Based Powder infant Formula with Iron
- EnfamilReguline Milk-based Powder with Iron Infant Formula
- Happy TotGrow & Shine Organic Toddler Milk Drink
- Comforts for ToddlerStage 2 – Toddler Beginnings Milk Based Powder Infant Formula with Iron
105 jars of baby food were sampled, and here are the bottom five:
- Gerber 3rd Foods Banana Apple Strawberry with Lil’ Bits
- O Organics Stage 2- Organic Pears Baby Food
- NurturMe Squash, Banana and Green Kale Organic Dried Baby Food
- NurturMe Carrots, Raisins and Sweet Potatoes Organic Dried Baby Food
- Gerber 3rd Foods Mixed Carrots, Corn and Butternut Squash with Lil’ Bits
Of 138 baby food pouches tested, these made the bottom five list:
- Plum Organics Stage 2 Apple & Carrot Organic Baby Food
- Gerber Graduates- Grabbers Apple & Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Squeezable Fruit & Veggies
- Earth’s Best Stage 2- Organic Apple Raisin Flax & Oat Wholesome Breakfast
- Parent’s Choice 2nd Stage Banana, Pear, Mango & Orange Organic Baby Food
- Mom to Mom Stage 2 Butternut Squash & Pear Baby Food
138 toddler snacks were also tested, and these are the bottom five:
- Happy Baby Organic Teethers Sweet Potato and Banana Gentle Teething Wafers
- Parent’s Choice Little Puffs Blueberry Cereal Snack
- Little Duck Organics Strawberry & Beet Fig Bars
- Nosh! Baby Munchables Pomegranate and Blueberry Organic Teething Wafers
- Gerber Graduates Lil’ Biscuits Vanilla Wheat Biscuits
The Clean Label Project is an advocacy group which works to create better transparency in product labeling.
If you are concerned about your child’s exposure to these contaminants, chat to your pediatrician.