While a court is unlikely accept the latter theory (seeour priorpostrejecting a similarly broad theory of deceptive advertising in the petfood context), allegations that the levels of heavy metals in the baby food products areunsafemay present viable litigation theories. Sprout Organics Stage 3. According to the congressional report, the test results of baby foods and their ingredients eclipse those levels: including results up to 91 times the arsenic level, up to 177 times the lead level, up to 69 times the cadmium level, and up to 5 times the mercury level., The FDA has alsoset limits on lead injuice[50ppb lead], andcandy[0.1ppm lead], and has proposed a 100ppb limit on inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals., *Readers interested in hot topics in food labeling and litigation can get a 10% discount at theACIs virtual Food Law summitMay 12-13, which will cover other topics including thelabelling of plant-based 'milk' and 'meat', CBD and cannabis, trades and tariffsunder the Biden administration, the role of influencers and user-generated content, and recalls and crisis management. Congressional investigators requested test results and internal company documents from seven of the largest baby food manufacturers in the U.S. in November 2019, following reports alleging baby foods contain high levels of toxic heavy metals. 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. Heres Everything You Need To Know, Earths Best Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: Everything You Need To Know. You can either puree the plums in a blender or food processor, or mash them with a potato masher. Attorney Advertising Notice: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. $1.99. Then, in June 2013 Plum organics was acquired by Campbell Soup. . But they are important sources of vitamin A and other nutrients. After a series of recalls, one company was forced to change their recipe for plum baby food. 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). Florida Gun Law Bars Employers from Conditioning Employment on Carry Authorization. USCIS Releases FY2024 Cap Registration Statistics and Announces Another Letter From Congress Complaining About Pharmaceutical Patents. (6). Peter Rabbit Organics. g-uh-r-b-uh-r. (10), In response to public outcry, the FDA proposes new lead level limits for baby food, applicable for children under two years old: (11)(12), Although the FDA estimates that these can reduce young childrens lead exposure by 24-27%, baby food safety advocates like Healthy Babies Bright Futures and Consumer Reports hoped for stricter measures. In fact, we released the data highlighted in this report in February 2021 and published it on our web site at that time. 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,. 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. The company does not comment on pending litigation, but we do intend to defend this case vigorously.. We provided information to the subcommittee nearly a year ago and invited more dialogue on this important issue but never received any additional inquiries, the company said in a statement. So, a great way to introduce plums is to prepare your own. Any legal analysis, legislative updates or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. According to the report, one Plum product contained 39ppb inorganic arsenic, although the others all tested negative; lead levels ranged from 1-6ppb; mercury from 0.1-0.7ppb; and cadmium from 0.5-24ppb. if (i!=(aTags.length-1)) Our experts loved. (4), However, despite complying with the request, the four companies alarmed the Subcommittee over test results that showed heavy metal levels were several times the FDAs maximum allowable levels. This will help your baby adjust to solid foods. Under certain state laws the following statements may be required on this website and we have included them in order to be in full compliance with these rules. It also calls out Walmart for weakening its arsenic standard in baby food products, calling the decision "an extreme course reversal on efforts to protect babies' neurological development.". (4), for close to 20% of Nurture vegetables and, declared that all its raw materials passed, . Healthy Foods The state of Alaska independently tested Gerber baby food products and found dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic in their infant rice cereals. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Three others Walmart, Campbell and Sprout Organic Foods didnt cooperate, leaving investigators greatly concerned about what they might be obscuring, the report noted. There are many benefits to using organic baby foods. Hain Celestial Group elaborated that they had previously taken steps to reduce heavy metals in their products, like no longer using brown rice in products that are primarily rice-based. Sun-Maid, which purchased Plum Organics in May from Campbell Soup Co., did not respond to ABC News' request for comment. The baby food company did not alert consumers to the problem and only recalled the product when the results showed it contained toxic levels. Theme: News Way by Themeansar. Brands including Gerber, Plum Organics, Beech-Nut and Walmart are named in the report, which calls on baby food manufacturers to begin voluntarily testing their products for toxic heavy metals and . }); Read FoodNavigator-USA's coverage of the report and the baby food companies' responses HERE and HERE. A study of two top-selling brands of baby food has found that some contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. The company has multiple ways to limit exposure to lead. Unlike traditional baby food, Plum Organics contains no added sugar, salt, or artificial colors or flavors. What happened Plum Organics? (3). If making your own baby food at home is an option, Trasande supported it, but he recognized that's not realistic for many families. USTR Releases 2023 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Washington Signs Into Law an Act for Consumer Health Data Privacy: Dont Look Twice, Its Alright The FCC Pulls Back the Curtain on Trending in Telehealth: April 18 24, 2023. (8), Carrots, Apples & Mangoes; with best before dates: July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX), and July 14, 2016 (batch 51965335XX), Pears, Carrots & Peas; with best before dates: July 12, 2016 (batch 51945335XX), and July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX), Lawsuit Filed Against Baby Food Companies, FDA Proposes New Lead Limits On Baby Foods, Lower than 10 ppb (parts per billion) in fruits, meat, yogurts, most vegetables, custards and puddings, and mixed meals (includes grain and meat-based mixtures), Maximum of 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and also in root crops (such as sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots) because they grow underground and potentially absorb more lead from the soil, Baby Wipes Recall 2022: Affected Brands & Toxic Products, Similac Pro-Sensitive Vs. Similac Sensitive, Similac Pro-Sensitive Vs. Enfamil Gentlease, Best Materials For Toddler Girl Winter Boots, 4 Essential Oils For Sinus Infection Congestion, 4 Essential Oils For Earache & Ear Infections, 3 Scientifically-Proven Ways To Calm Down An Overactive Amygdala, Interview Series: Serenity Kids' Founders On Raising Healthy & Adventurous Eaters, Subcommittee Congressional Report On Toxic Baby Foods, Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY And Happy Family Organics), Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earths Best Organic), Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods), Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups (2017), Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: How Toxic Heavy Metals Were Found In Some Of The Most Popular Brands, Sprout Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: Everything You Need To Know, Earth's Best Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: Everything You Need To Know, Baby Mum-Mum Recalls 2021-2023: What You Need To Know, Happy TOT Recalls 2021-2023: What You Need To Know. The company has also been named in a Congressional report on toxic products. We promote, protect, and defend products made by the spectrum of industries regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission and Member States authorities in the European Union (EU) and similar authorities throughout the world. Beech-Nut 8+ Months. For babies who are 10 months and older, a chunkier puree will be better. The day after the Baby Food Heavy Metals report's release, a pair of consumer class action complaints were filedone against Gerber in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey . Their foods are fresh, and cooked simply. The Gerbers had already been making use of Fremont's services to produce a line of . ", "Our specifications have always been aligned with or below the FDA requirements for naturally occurring elements and the FDA noted in April that its testing shows that children 'are not at an immediate health risk to exposure," Walmart said in a statement to ABC News. Small, soft bits or lumps may be added as the baby's chewing ability improves. Instead, these baby food companies created internal standards with increased limits. The law will also direct the FDA to adopt and implement stricter limits for baby foods. 297. "We are encouraged the FDA launched a collaborative process to establish science-based standards for infant and baby foods and look forward to further guidance. (4). 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. SNAP EBT eligible. Moreover, it does not have added preservatives, which are harmful to your childs health. | But the company reportedly refused to provide their actual test results or internal standards and criteria. Its best to avoid preparing these foods for your baby. They point out leads serious impact on childrens health, including reduced IQ, neurological and developmental impairment, behavior problems, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Previously, she was a writer, producer and editor at CNN. Happy Baby. You can also check with your pediatrician about which foods to add to your babys diet. (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. 6-8 months. Companies can reduce their legal vulnerability by setting up rigorous internal protocols and compliance systems, but after reports like this, food manufacturers will likely be lobbying state and federal agencies to set safe harbor levels, he predicted. 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. Esfandiary and his colleagues are preparing to take the first toxic baby food lawsuit to trial next year. Oatmeal, Barley, Millet, Farro - Rotate these foods and serve a variety (not the same one each day). 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 . A. Pawlowski is a TODAY health reporter focusing on health news and features. $1.39. There are so many possible contaminants and harmful ingredients in our food supply. Plaintiffs allege that the company fails to disclose heavy metal levels on its labels. The congressional report examined outdated data and does not reflect our current practices, the company noted in a statement. Multistate Monday: PUMP It UpNew Protections for Pregnant and Manufacturing Employers Continue Smart Hiring, With a New Twist. Gerber Products Company is an American purveyor of baby food and baby products headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, with plans to relocate to Arlington, Virginia. A class action lawsuit filed against two major manufacturers of baby food has named Gerber and Beech-Nut as defendants. When babies are 7 months to 8 months old, they can eat "2" baby foods, which include single-ingredient and combination foods that are strained instead of pureed. (4), report, Hain admitted that its only using theoretical calculations, not actual, , the company provided them with a report declaring that each of the, But the company reportedly refused to provide their actual, . or use the appliances you already have in your kitchen in preparing your babys food. If the plums are too soft, you can also use a paring knife and then your fingers to separate the skin from the fruit. $(document).ready(function() { Campbell Soup Company, which sells baby food under the brand name Plum Organics, said it cooperated with congressional investigators. Departments Release Update on No Surprises Act Independent Dispute FY 2024 H-1B Registration Period Indicates 780,884 Registrations; A Look Back at Key Takeaways from RSA Conference 2023. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. 11111 Santa Monica Blvd., FREE delivery Fri, Apr 21 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. } Baby food Gerber told ABC News that it is "committed to reducing the levels of heavy metals in our baby foods to the lowest levels possible. 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. In its August 2022 report, HBBF tested 288 foods and analyzed more than 7,000 additional baby food testing data from published studies. Instead of worrying about food recalls, preparing fresh and, Baby Brezza Small Baby Food Maker Set Cooker and Blender in One. "The facts speak for themselves, and the fact of the matter is that the baby food industry has consistently cut corners and put profit over the health of babies and children. Ensuring Your Independent Contractors Dont Deliver Wisconsin Unemployment USCIS Releases FY2024 Cap Registration Statistics and Announces Measures to Multistate Monday: PUMP It UpNew Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers [ Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. 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. Some of the ingredients used in making Gerber baby food, such as "conventional sweet potatoes . The lawsuit alleges that the companys baby food pouches contain misleading labeling. }); A Campbell Soup spokesperson told FoodNavigator-USA that it intended to defend the case vigorously:Campbell is confident in the safety and quality of our products. Learn More. 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. It could lead to a decrease in IQ and possible antisocial behavior in, , Sprout, and Campbell refused to cooperate, according to the, was alarmed that the companies didnt correct the, passed because they have higher limits for their, . Did anyone else make this type of baby food? The FDA retested the sample, was unable to confirm the result by Alaska and confirmed to Gerber that no action was needed," the company said in a statement. If you would ike to contact us via email please click here. Heavy metal levels have been discovered in many baby foods by organizations like Consumer Reports and CR. Plus, theyre super yummy! var vOut = ""; Wisner Baum currently represents thousands of parents throughout the nation who allege their children developed autism and/or ADHD after consuming baby foods from the following companies: To better assist parents looking for brands and products to avoid, we have created an updated 2022 baby foods toxic heavy metals list (click here for our list of baby foods to avoid from March of 2022). Gerber has made a major effort to lower its sugar content. (11)(12). It is important to remember that infants and babies consume more food in relation to their body weight and absorb lead more readily than adults. This lack of transparency has led many consumers to believe that the company is not committed to making their products safe. (4), FDA maximum limits in ppb or parts per billion for infant rice cereal: (5). | Technical / White Paper. Hain Celestial Group said its Earths Best organic products meet or exceed the current federal guidelines, and provide safe nutrition for babies. 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) Exposure to these heavy metals can cause permanent damage to your baby's brain development. The following results are also from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, too: (3), According to the Congressional Report, the company never responded to the Subcommittee. And why did Gerber fail to notify consumers? As a certified organic baby food brand, Plum is a great choice for parents who want to offer healthy foods for their children. This can't be fully just relying on parents to do their own thing. Its name is a reference to a dessert, and the food contains more plums than any other fruit. Exposure to toxic heavy metals poses a specific risk to toddlers and infants because they absorb more than adults and their brains are still developing, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The report called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to set maximum levels of toxic heavy metals allowed in baby foods. Some of these are from pesticides. According to the report, Gerber has failed to disclose the presence of heavy metals in its products, despite its claims to be the worlds most trusted name in baby food. - Last updated on In response to these allegations, the FDA has proposed a Baby Food Safety Act to limit the amount of heavy metals in infant foods. These baby foods contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. In response to the report, a Beech-Nut spokesperson told ABC News in a statement, "Our process of manufacturing baby food does not contribute heavy metals to the final product. Plum has also become a Certified B Corporation and is committed to environmental sustainability. The report is based on results from the first four of the above-listed companies because the others did not comply with the subcommittees requests for internal documentation and test results. Brands including Gerber, Plum Organics, Beech-Nut and Walmart are named in the report, which calls on baby food manufacturers to begin voluntarily testing their products for toxic heavy metals and to phase out products that contain large amounts of ingredients that test high in toxic heavy metals. Sweet Potato, Potato, Carrot, and Baby Spinach Rotate these foods and serve a variety (not the same one each day). National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 40, Public Services, Infrastructure, Transportation. Only the raw materials are tested. Organic vegetables are a great choice for babies. Baby food manufacturers must meet government regulations in order to sell their products. 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 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. 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. 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. Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients, Jungbunzlauer | 05-Apr-2023 Gerber coupons are not in every insert. dataLayerNews.related_tags = sanitize_gpt_value2("Baby food, heavy metals, Gerber products company, Beech-Nut Nutrition, Plum Organics, Campbell soup"); Commercial baby foods are tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, according to a report released last week by a House Oversight subcommittee. Linda McCauley, the Dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, says, [n]o level of exposure to these metals has been shown to be safe in vulnerable infants. She adds that exposure to several sources of heavy metals can cause cumulative effects that are particularly dangerous for young children. According to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, the new deputy commissioner for human foods will have clear decision-making authority, ensuring the US food supplys safety. In this article well discuss the risks associated with it. Pureed plums can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Parents, she adds, expert the food they feed their infants and toddlers to be free from heavy metal substances known to have significant and dangerous health consequences.. Congressional investigators asked seven of the largest U.S. baby food manufacturers to provide internal documents and test results. The list is based on the recently released report from Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that has been following the heavy metals issue for years. It is important to remember that infants and babies consume more food in relation to their body weight and absorb arsenic more readily than adults. googletag.display('text-ad1'); Ive released a new report on toxic metals in baby food, including popular brands such as Gerbers Infant Rice Cereal products containing dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic. Los Angeles, CA 90025. Plum Organics baby food costs around $1.59 for 3.5- or 4-ounce pouches. Gerber 2nd Foods Hawaiian Delight Baby Food is a creamy juice and fruit blend that makes feeding time a treat and continues your baby's love of fruits. The company uses non-GMO ingredients, and does not add added sugar or salt. In January 2023, in response to public clamor, the FDA announced that theyre proposing limits on lead in baby food. dataLayer.push(dataLayerNews); Sliding Into Your DMs With a Court Summons, OMB Seeks Input on Bioeconomy-Related Industries and Products. When purchased online. High levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead were found in fresh carrots and sweet potatoes. Below are some of the baby foods that the HBBF report indicated for high levels of arsenic: The FDA has a maximum allowable limit of 5 parts per billion (ppb) lead in bottled water, yet the amount of lead in some popular baby foods surpasses this limit by at least four times in some cases.
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