The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidelines that aim to reduce lead levels in processed baby foods for children under the age of two.
Under the new guidelines, baby foods should have no more than 10 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in fruits, vegetables, mixtures, yogurts, custards, and single-ingredient meals. The FDA also set a limit of 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables---which typically contain the highest levels of lead from soil---and dry infant cereals.
The guidance would cover packaged processed baby foods for children under two and include those in jars, pouches, or boxes. It can also include ready-to-eat food such as purees and dry infant cereals. However, it does not cover infant formula, teething biscuits, or beverages.
The agency noted that removing lead entirely from baby food is not possible as it is "widely present in the environment due to both its natural occurrence and to human activities that have introduced it into the environment."
The guidance is not binding. Food manufacturers are not mandated to follow the guidelines but are encouraged to maintain lead levels below the action levels stated.
New FDA Guidelines Disappoints Child Welfare Advocates
Following the FDA's announcement, Jane Houlihan, the national director of science and health for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, called the guidelines "largely ineffective."
In an email to CNN, Houlihan noted that currently available baby foods already comply with the limits set by the FDA. She also cited a 2019 study that found lead levels are higher in infant formula and baby food ingredients sold outside the baby food aisle.
Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, also voiced his disappointment with the new limits, calling it "virtually meaningless." In a statement quoted by NBC News, he noted that the guidelines are "based more on industry feasibility."
How Can Lead Exposure Harm Babies?
Lead can have serious effects on a baby's developing body and brain. Because babies are still growing rapidly, even small amounts of lead can disrupt the normal development of their nervous systems. It can interfere with the formation of healthy brain cells, leading to learning difficulties, lower IQ, and problems with memory and attention. Babies may also experience hearing and speech issues.
Furthermore, a lead buildup in a baby's body can contribute to anemia, reduced growth, and serious health complications.
