FDA Restricts Toxic Lead Levels in Certain Baby Foods

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration established maximum limits for lead in baby foods, including jarred fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and dry cereal, as part of a broader initiative to reduce young children’s exposure to the harmful metal known to cause developmental and neurological issues.

The agency provided final guidance suggesting that these measures could decrease lead exposure from processed baby foods by approximately 20 to 30 percent. Although the limits are voluntary for food manufacturers, they empower the FDA to enforce action if food products surpass these levels.

This initiative is aligned with the FDA’s ongoing commitment to “minimize dietary exposure to contaminants, such as lead, in foods to the lowest levels possible over time, while ensuring access to nutritious food options,” as stated by the agency.

Consumer advocates, who have long campaigned for lead limits in children’s foods, welcomed the proposed guidance that was first introduced two years ago. However, they expressed concerns that it falls short of comprehensive protection.

“Today’s actions by the FDA are a positive step and will aid in safeguarding children,” said Thomas Galligan, a scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Nevertheless, the agency has delayed too long in its response and overlooked significant public feedback that could have enhanced these standards.”

The new lead limits for children under 2 do not extend to grain-based snacks like puffs and teething biscuits, which some studies have indicated may have higher lead levels. Additionally, there are no restrictions set for other metals such as cadmium, which have also been found in baby foods.

Brian Ronholm, the director of food policy at Consumer Reports, criticized the limits as “virtually meaningless, as they are based more on what the industry can handle rather than on what would effectively safeguard public health.”

A representative from baby food manufacturer Gerber stated that the company’s products conform to the new limits.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children, as the metal can lead to “well-documented health consequences,” including damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as inhibited growth and development. Lead can naturally occur in certain foods and is also a byproduct of pollution in air, water, and soil, making it challenging to completely eliminate.

The FDA’s guidance specifies a lead limit of 10 parts per billion for fruits, most vegetables, grain and meat mixtures, yogurts, custards, puddings, and single-ingredient meats. A higher limit of 20 parts per billion is set for single-ingredient root vegetables and dry infant cereals. This guidance pertains to packaged processed foods sold in jars, pouches, tubs, or boxes.

The new guidelines were introduced after instances where lead-contaminated pouches of apple cinnamon puree affected over 560 children in the United States between October 2023 and April 2024, according to the CDC.

Lead levels found in those products were reported to be more than 2,000 times greater than the FDA’s established maximum. Officials underscored that the FDA does not require this guidance to take action against foods that violate the law.

By Jonel Aleccia