Test All Baby Foods for Heavy Metals

A new first-in-the-nation law in California will require baby food manufacturers to test their foods for heavy metals and post the results publicly on their websites.

The legislation comes in response to disturbing reports in recent years that many common baby food brands contain dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium known to cause adverse health impacts.

“The last thing parents expect to find in baby food are toxic heavy metals like arsenic and lead that can threaten their child’s health and well-being,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “California’s new law fills a critical gap in the FDA’s efforts to reduce heavy metals in baby food."

While it's great that California has passed this bill to help keep kids safe, kids and families everywhere deserve the same protections.

That's why we're calling on Congress to pass legislation requiring that all baby food nationwide is tested for heavy metals BEFORE its made available for sale.