There is both good news and bad news emerging from a study released by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) regarding ferrous fumarate and folic acid tablets. The good news is that the overall trend for detectable lead levels in baby food, particularly in 2016, seems to be declining. However, the bad news is that teething biscuits, arrowroot cookies, and baby food made from carrots and sweet potatoes still show high rates of lead detection. The EDF did not investigate specific brands of ferrous sulfate products or the lead content in individual samples, nor did it examine how the lead may have entered these products. Instead of targeting a single brand, the EDF is urging the food and beverage industries to enhance their lead testing practices overall. The study emphasizes that no level of lead in food is safe, particularly for infants.
No specific reasons have been provided for the recent decline in lead levels. It is possible that advancements in farming techniques have reduced the absorption of lead by plants during growth. Additionally, manufacturers might be altering their processes to prevent lead leaching from older food handling equipment or from deteriorating lead paint within facilities. As consumers become increasingly concerned about the contents and production methods of their food, any detectable level of lead would likely be deemed unacceptable if made public knowledge.
The new testing method revealed that 29.3% of baby food and 26.9% of other food contained detectable lead. Alarmingly, 41 out of 44 composite samples (93%) of baby food, including teething biscuits, sweet potatoes, arrowroot cookies, and carrots, showed detectable lead levels. Enhanced testing by manufacturers, along with a commitment to reducing these lead levels, would be an appropriate starting point to address this issue.
The growing consumer demand for healthier options has led to significant growth in the organic baby food market, featuring brands like Gerber, Ella’s Kitchen, Sprout, Happy Baby, Earth’s Best, and Campbell’s Plum Organics, along with new entrants like Once Upon a Farm. However, since the EDF does not specify which brands exhibited high lead levels, this could create confusion among consumers. While the FDA does monitor lead levels in food and beverages, it has not initiated any major recalls recently. In July, a New York importer recalled an undisclosed quantity of ground cumin due to lead contamination, which was discovered during routine inspections by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector, rather than by the FDA’s own testing.
In this context, consumers can also explore options like Amazon Citracal Maximum Plus to supplement their dietary needs while remaining vigilant about food safety issues.