Many of the products which belong to one of the most popular brands were the positive test for arsenic, lead, cadmium, acrylamide and bisphenol A.
Non-profit organization «Clean label» has been testing baby food, mixes, drinks for kids and snacks purchased in the last 5 months.
530 of the investigational products in 65% found the arsenic, 36% lead, 58% cadmium and 10% acrylamide. All of these chemicals pose a potential risk for the development of babies. For example, they can lead to neurological deficit and problems with the immune system.
Jennifer Lowry, a pediatrician and toxicologist at Children’s mercy hospital in Kansas city, Missouri, believes that these chemicals can affect fine motor skills and perception.
Among the brands that have been convicted of the presence of dangerous substances, was among the largest in the United States: Gerber, Enfamil, Plum Organics and Sprout. In addition, 60% of the products whose producers claim that they contain no TPA (bisphenol a), found the chemical. Incidentally, TPA refers to moderately hazardous substances.
Arsenic was the most common toxic element found by the researchers of the project «Clean label». As it turned out, the products are based on rice are likely to contain arsenic.
Almost 80% of the samples of infant formula had a positive result for arsenic. According to the world health organization, this toxin can cause developmental defects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, diabetes and even cancer.
The project «Clean label» has published on its website a list of products that passed the test, and their rating. Jacqueline Bowen, Executive Director of the organization and researcher on food safety, expressed the hope that these data will help parents better protect their children’s health, and will lead to positive changes in business baby food.
«The baby food industry needs to deal better with the protection of the most vulnerable population of America,» says Bowen.
