Processed baby food has a chronic problem with contamination from arsenic and other heavy metals, according to a congressional report released this week.
The report, from investigators for a subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, detailed levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead that are far above those allowed for other foods and beverages. It noted that Hain Celestial Group reported that half of its baby products containing brown rice, sold under the Earth’s Best Organic brand, contained more than 100 parts per billion of arsenic, the limit adopted last year by the FDA. Hain was one of four companies that responded to the committee’s request for data; three others (Walmart, Campbell Soup and Sprout Foods) did not.
Food containing rice or rice flour, a common ingredient in baby food, is especially liable to arsenic contamination due to irrigation and other agricultural practices. The FDA does not set minimum levels for the other heavy metals in baby food, although it does for other products like bottled water and candy.
The FDA has “completely put its head in the sand and not done anything to regulate the industry,” said subcommittee chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), as quoted in the New York Times.
The companies, for their part, told the Times in statements that they follow all applicable regulations and are committed to the safety of their consumers.
Heavy-metal contamination in baby food has drawn attention from government and consumer groups for years. A 2019 report from a consumer advocacy group claimed that heavy metals were present in 94% of the baby food it sampled.
