Oatmeal, Barley, Millet, Farro - Rotate these foods and serve a variety (not the same one each day). Clearly we need better monitoring and testing of the food supply, especially for babies who pound for pound eat more food per body weight, so they have higher exposure and their developing organs are especially susceptible, Trasande told TODAY. Currently, the only legislation that limits the amount of heavy metals in baby food is proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. "Given the lack of specific FDA guidance on baby food, Campbell used standards from Californias Proposition 65, the EU and the WHO, along with general guidance from the FDA on lead not specific to baby foodsto develop a testing protocol for evaluating whether heavy metals in Plum Organics products exceeded levels that independent authorities had determined to be acceptable., The spokeswoman added:"Campbell has conducted testing on every Plum Organics product on the market to ensure none exceed acceptable levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, or mercury. Any product testing is managed by its suppliers, and its private label baby food manufacturers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, Walmart said. Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups were recalled, but not because of, Undeclared egg components (allergens) on the product label. }); Read FoodNavigator-USA's coverage of the report and the baby food companies' responses HERE and HERE. Gerber. The products we help get to market include foods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, veterinary products, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. Our Top-Rated Baby Foods. Beechnut Baby Food Recalls 2021-2023: Reviews On What You Need To Know, Everything You Need To Know About The HappyBABY Organic Food Recalls 2021-2023, Whats The Best Wearable Breast Pump? Plaintiffs allege that the company fails to disclose heavy metal levels on its labels. But did the new report lead to a recall of the affected Gerber baby foods? The report called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to set maximum levels of toxic heavy metals allowed in baby foods. Congressional investigators asked seven of the largest U.S. baby food manufacturers to provide internal documents and test results. Californias Workplace Violence Bill Heavily Amended for Virtually Insurance Coverage Under Umbrella Policy Extends Beyond Requirements TripAdvisor Suit Invites Delaware To Become The Hotel California, Washingtons Governor Signs New Health Data Privacy Act. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. The complaint against Plum takes a broader approach and alleges that their baby food products were falsely and deceptively advertised because the manufacturer was obligated to disclose (and did not disclose) anylevel of Heavy Metals or undesirable toxins or contaminants (emphasis added). In January 2023, in response to public clamor, the FDA announced that theyre proposing limits on lead in baby food. Gerber called its baby food safety and quality standards industry-leading and among the strictest in the world, with many steps taken to minimize the presence of heavy metals. While acknowledging that for the majority of heavy metals the FDA has not set thresholds for the level allowed in baby foods (one notable exception is a 100 ppblimitfor arsenic in infant rice cereals), it concluded that commercial baby foods contain dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium . 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. Gerber. Sliding Into Your DMs With a Court Summons, OMB Seeks Input on Bioeconomy-Related Industries and Products. (3) (4) In January 2023, the FDA finally proposed lead limits as a result of these findings. (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. Regardless, its important to look for alternatives in baby food and consider purchasing organic baby foods if you can. The standards we have in place for the safety and quality of our baby foods are industry-leading, and among the strictest in not just the U.S., but the world., Speaking to us last week, a spokesperson said:Where government standards dont currently exist, we develop our own rigorous standards., To minimize the presence of metals in crops that naturally accumulate contaminants from soil, Gerber takesmultiple steps including prioritizing growing locations based on climate and soil composition; approving fields before crops are planted based on soil testing; rotating crops according to best available science; and testing of produce, water, and other ingredients, the spokesperson said. What were the Subcommittees findings, and how did the companies respond? The Center for Science in the Public Interest has filed a lawsuit against Gerber and its competitor Plum Organics. 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) In fact, we released the data highlighted in this report in February 2021 and published it on our web site at that time. Gerber 2 nd Foods baby food recipes help expose babies to a variety of tastes and ingredient combinations, which is important to help them accept new flavors. Responding to allegations in the report (which are then referenced in the lawsuit) that, Campbell provided a spreadsheet self-declaring that every one of its products meets criteria but declined to state what those criteria are,"a spokeswoman told us last week that Campbell tested all of its products and relied on standards set by various other bodies for guidance in the absence of FDA regulations. vOut +=', '; Gerber 2nd Foods. In the new report released Wednesday, the subcommittee says Beech-Nut recalled just two of its six infant rice cereal products that tested over the FDA's limit of inorganic arsenic earlier this year, while Gerber did not recall either of its two products that also tested over the limit. 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. Ensuring Your Independent Contractors Dont Deliver Wisconsin EPA Denies Petition Seeking TSCA Section 4 Testing of PVA. The governments Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a responsibility to protect the health of babies. Many of us grew up on Gerber baby food, and it's nice to see their organic line starting to expand including organic cereals, baby food pouches, jars, teethers and more. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.comare intended for general information purposes only. Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Look for these fruits and veggies. Restrictive Covenants in Real Estate: Next Antitrust Enforcement Target? 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. Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman changed its name to Wisner Baum in January 2023. It is important to remember that infants and babies consume more food in relation to their body weight and absorb cadmium more readily than adults. Plum Organics was one of the first baby food brands to successfully market organic baby food. (4), Walmart, Sprout, and Campbell refused to cooperate, according to the Congressional Report. (3). The companys recall of two types of baby food pouches in March 2014 has caused customers to seek medical attention for their children, some of whom became lethargic after consuming the product. (10), The new unit will also be tasked to improve US nutrition to address the declining life expectancy, possibly due to chronic diseases linked with poor nutrition. Its other products contain high-quality ingredients, such as pear, apple, and banana. Regulation The following results also come from the. report released last week by a House Oversight subcommittee, Many parents are feeding babies solid food too soon, CDC says, Inorganic arsenic levels in some baby rice cereals are too high, FDA says, Medical roundup: Flu season, toxic chemicals in baby foods, Baby bottles can shed millions of microplastic particles: What parents need to know, Jenna talks about baby Hal eating real food for the 1st time, Government set to make its first dietary advice for babies: What parents need to know, Have a new baby? Restrictive Covenants in Real Estate: Next Antitrust Enforcement You Can Stand Under My Umbrella (by Clearly Manifesting It). These baby foods contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. var vOut = ""; 4.8. (9), The FDA proposes the creation of the Human Foods Program, a new food safety unit that will focus on the importance of nutrition. in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack Apple Kale. 6-8 months. If the plums are too soft, you can also use a paring knife and then your fingers to separate the skin from the fruit. Organic vegetables are a great choice for babies. NEW FOODS & SARAF FOODS are now OVEGI - ROHA Group is excited to announce a new brand name to their dried ingredients range, New Foods & Saraf As predicted, several baby food brands have been hit with class action lawsuits alleging false advertising and violations of state consumer protection laws, following the publication of a congressional committee report raising alarm bells about heavy metals in baby food. However, some companies have chosen to retaliate by denying the problem by refusing to cooperate. 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. In addition, Gerber and other brands failed to provide lab evidence. 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. 314. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. Among the brand names mentioned wereGerberand Beech-Nut, well known for their baby and toddler food items. Gerber also used 12 other batches of sweet potato that tests over 20ppb for lead, the EUs upper lenient standard Gerber uses multiple batches of carrots containing as much as 87ppb cadmium, and 75% of the carrots Gerber used had more than 5ppb cadmium, the EPAs drinking water standard., Gerber does not comment on pending litigation, but told FoodNavigator-USA that, We fully stand behind the safety of all of our products,including the products that were the subject of this report. Going Beyond HIPAA Washington Health Privacy Law Enacted: Broad Reach, Amorphous USCIS Releases Numbers for H-1B Cap Registration; Includes Allegations of Misconduct. Our comprehensive and extensive food and drug practice is one of the largest in the world. mentioned in the report didnt issue a recall as well. It may also lead to IQ decrease and antisocial behavior. } FREE delivery Fri, Apr 21 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. googletag.display('text-ad1'); Nurture said its Happy Family Organics products are safe for babies and toddlers to enjoy, and we are proud to have best-in-class testing protocols in our industry. The company said it was disappointed at the many inaccuracies, select data usage and tone bias in the report. Sitter. What happened Plum Organics? Gerber also is a founding member of theBaby Food Council,a group comprising baby food companies (Beech-Nut, Hain/Earths Best, Gerber, Danone/Happy Family Organics), academics, government, and NGO partners and advisors on a mission to reduce heavy metals in baby foods using best-in-class management practices, noted the spokesperson. Gerber Baby Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks - Strawberry and Apple - 3.2oz. (11)(12), (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/, (2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/, (3) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf, (4) https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf, (5) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements, (6) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/, (7) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr, (8) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches, (9) https://fox17.com/news/spotlight-on-america/update-first-court-battle-over-toxic-metals-in-baby-food-set-for-trial-in-2023, (10) https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-31/after-baby-formula-scandal-fda-announces-new-unit-focused-on-food-safety, (11) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/health/fda-lead-baby-food.html, (12) https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/baby-food/fda-proposes-new-limits-for-lead-in-baby-foods-a2167994237/, Motherhood Community is reader supported. (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. Wisner Baum is pleased to announce that attorney Pedram Esfandiary has been named partner. Below you will find baby foods that tested at high levels for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You can also freeze the mixture and use it for a few months. 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 . When purchased online. 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. $1.99. 297. Its name is a reference to a dessert, and the food contains more plums than any other fruit. And since babies often eat rice, this is a problem, since the FDA has no standards for arsenic in food. The rest of the baby food manufacturers mentioned in the report didnt issue a recall as well. Fortunately, there are many good reasons to stick with Gerber baby food. if (i!=(aTags.length-1)) Four of the companies Nurture, Beech-Nut, Hain and Gerber responded to the requests. Theme: News Way by Themeansar. For babies who are 10 months and older, a chunkier puree will be better. "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. While you can puree raw plums, you should bring them to room temperature to improve their texture and taste. 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. Attorneys contacted by FoodNavigator-USA said such lawsuits deploy a kind of halo theory increasingly featuring in proposed class actions in which plaintiffs claim that reasonable consumers (in this case, parents of babies/young children) would not expect to see any level of contaminants, pesticide residues, heavy metals and so on in foods that present themselves as healthy and nutritious. But sugary apple puree . In addition to being high in nutrients, they are also low in sodium. When youre making food for your newborn, consider introducing your baby to a new fruit. Despite being included in the Congressional Report, no Gerber baby food recall was issued afterward. As part of its continuous improvement practices, Beech-Nut continues to work with the FDA to identify the best practices, which may include "finished product testing," according to the statement. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Beech-Nut called its products safe and nutritious. Some experts have predicted it may take even longer than the proposed 2024 date to make significant changes to industry practices. Previously, she was a writer, producer and editor at CNN. After a series of recalls, one company was forced to change their recipe for plum baby food. $1.39. The investigation found internal company standards permit dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals, and manufacturers have often sold foods that exceeded those levels. This lack of transparency has led many consumers to believe that the company is not committed to making their products safe. The baby food manufacturers named in the report were: (1) Nurture Inc. (which sells Happy Family Organics, including baby food products under the brand name HappyBABY); (2) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company; (3) Hain Celestial Group (which sells baby food products under the brand name Earths Best Organic); (4) Gerber; (5) Campbell Soup Company (which sells baby food products under the brand name Plum Organics); (6) Walmart Inc. (which sells baby food through its private brand Parents Choice); and (7) Sprout Foods, Inc. Rice cereals, however, are subject to a 10-parts-per-billion standard. Plum Organics 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. In a similar case*** filed vs Hain Celestial Group (maker of the Earth's Best baby food brand), plaintiff Alyssa Mays argues: "Contrary to the representations made on the label and packaging of the products, the products contain heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium and lead at levels above what is considered safe for babies. 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. dataLayerNews = {}; . The Gerbers had already been making use of Fremont's services to produce a line of . The first reason is that it didnt do its job of properly notifying the public about its tests in Alaska. How Many Calories Are in a Taco Salad With Ground Beef and Shell. SNAP EBT eligible. But they are important sources of vitamin A and other nutrients. To date, the FDA has only enacted limits for heavy metals in infant rice cereal and juice, so parents are essentially on their own to figure out for themselves the risks associated with all other foods they give their children.. 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. " One variety of Mighty 4 Essential Nutrition Blends, listspumpkin, pomegranate, quinoa, and Greek yogurt on the front. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Beech-Nut 8+ Months. The problem? (3), In tests commissioned by HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures), toxic heavy metals were found in 95% of the 168 commercial baby foods tested. Sprout Foods did not respond to a TODAY request for comment. 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. The congressional report examined outdated data and does not reflect our current practices, the company noted in a statement. Plant-based, alt proteins, precision fermentation, 08-Feb-2021 ", As to procurement strategies for high-risk ingredients, she said:"This issue has been and continues to be on the radar of our procurement team. This included store-bought baby foods as well as homemade purees. 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. In some cases, some of the baby food products analyzed carried as much as 91 times the allowable arsenic level, 177 times the lead level, 69 times the cadmium level and up to five times the mercury level, the report said. Plum Organics Teensy Crisps Mixed Berry Spinach and Quinoa Baby Snacks - 5ct/1.75oz Each Plum Organics 253 SNAP EBT eligible $2.99 When purchased online Plum Organics Jammy Sammy Peanut Butter & Grape - 5ct/1.02oz Each Plum Organics 201 SNAP EBT eligible $3.39 When purchased online Plum Organics Stage 2 Fruit & Veggie Baby Meals - 8ct/32oz Multistate Monday: PUMP It UpNew Protections for Pregnant and Manufacturing Employers Continue Smart Hiring, With a New Twist. Several popular baby food brands contain "high levels" of toxic heavy metals -- and they are not doing enough to stop the practice, according to a new report released Wednesday by a U.S. House Oversight subcommittee. | As head of the congressional subcommittee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi states: My Subcommittees investigation has pulled back the curtain on the baby food industry, and each revelation has been more damning than the last. 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. Food safety (1)(2), Whats alarming is that as much as 95% of baby food products from some of the most popular brands in the U.S. contain significant levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The company marketed itself with wholesome ingredients on the pouches, but failed to disclose the fact that the products mostly contained water and apple puree. Cantaloupe Should remain on the menu but consumed less than daily. 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. When purchased online. It is important to remember that infants and babies consume more food in relation to their body weight and absorb mercury more readily than adults. 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, . 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. In this article well discuss the risks associated with it. And in the absence of safe harbor levels for most heavy metals specific to baby food, plaintiffs attorneys will likely continue to file such complaints given that there isnt a specific threshold you can point to and claim protection, said one legal source. Heavy metals in baby food: How should the food industry respond? We need the kind of congressional oversight that was provided in this report, he said. You can use the coupons to save money on your purchases. Our experts loved. 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. They also eclipse the levels of such metals the government allows in bottled water, including up to 91 times the arsenic level, up to 177 times the lead level, up to 69 times the cadmium level, and up to five times the mercury level. (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. Esfandiary and his colleagues are preparing to take the first toxic baby food lawsuit to trial next year. "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. }); 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. googletag.cmd.push(function () { The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Parents can rest assured our products are healthy and safe, the company said in a statement. 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. (4). Plaintiffs allege that the company fails to disclose heavy metal levels on its labels. Fiber, the Original Gut Health Ingredient, Energy Drinks That Perform on Every Level, Sweet solutions: Soda fountain stevia breakthrough, Carbohydrates and fibers (sugar, starches), Baby food brands defend protocols as congressional report alleges highly dangerous levels of heavy metals in infant foods; expect lawsuits, says attorney. Moreover, it does not have added preservatives, which are harmful to your childs health. A chunkier puree is best for babies over 10 months. Gerber has made a major effort to lower its sugar content. BIG NEWS? SNAP EBT eligible. These metals can be dangerous to your childs health and are common in many infant foods. Was it recalled? [that] pose serious health risks to babies and toddlers. The report advocates several changes to the regulation of baby foods including mandatory testing of finished products for heavy metals, reporting of heavy metal content on food labels, and new regulations setting limits for heavy metals in baby foods. You can either puree the plums in a blender or food processor, or mash them with a potato masher.