ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new California law requires baby food manufacturers to test for heavy metals and make the results public. However, some companies have made these results difficult to find.
Consumer Reports and the group Unleaded Kids conducted research to identify which manufacturers make it easy to access test results and which do not.
“It [California’s new law] benefits people living across the country because of that disclosure transparency requirement,” said Jessica D’Argenio Waller of Consumer Reports.
The study found most baby food manufacturers were less than transparent.
“We looked at 39 different baby food brands for their transparency and how easy they make these results to find,” said Waller. “We found that 16 brands were making their results very straight forward and easy to access. we found that 21 brands, the majority, were not making them that easy.” Two small brands posted nothing at all.
You should be able to scam a QR code on the packaging to be linked to the test results. But Consumer Reports found that some brands require consumers to enter a lot code, UPC code, or a best-by date to access information. In some cases, purchasing the product is necessary to obtain details. But even when parents can easily find the information, many will still be left with questions.
For example, Gerber was identified as one of the transparent companies. News10 NBC easily found the test results for Gerber pureed carrots – 4 ppb of lead, 1 ppb of arsenic, 1 ppb of mercury, and 13 ppb of cadmium. But the FDA has not yet established thresholds for cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, leaving parents without clear guidelines.
Some brands have adopted the European Union standards for heavy metals, providing context for concerned parents. Little Spoon, a New York-based company, recently made headlines for being the first baby food manufacturer to adopt EU standards for heavy metals in their baby food.
The FDA has established a threshold for lead. Here are EU standards in parts per billion:
Lead – 10 ppb Cadmium – 40 ppb Arsenic – 20 ppb Mercury – 3 ppb (Level set by Little Spoon. EU has no standard.)But even with increased transparency, limiting heavy metals in baby food largely remains the responsibility of parents.
AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses AI.
Consumer Alert: Here’s how to find levels of heavy metals in baby food WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about consumer alert here s how to find levels of heavy metals in baby food was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Consumer Alert: Here’s how to find levels of heavy metals in baby food )
Also on site :