Study finds majority of tested baby foods contain toxic chemicals

A new study has found that 95 percent of baby foods contain toxic chemicals that lower babies’ IQ, including arsenic and lead. The research was conducted by Healthy Babies Bright Futures. “The problem, uncovered nearly a decade ago, is far from solved,” the report’s executive summary states. “New tests of 168 baby foods commissioned by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) found toxic heavy metals in 95 percent of containers tested. One in four baby foods contained all four metals assessed by our testing lab—arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Even in the trace amounts found in food, these contaminants can alter the developing brain and erode a child’s IQ. The impacts add up with each meal or snack a baby eats.” Unfortunately, researchers said, switching to organic baby food or pureeing your own food does not solve the problem. Researchers concluded that simple actions for five 5 foods can help lower your babies’ exposures to arsenic, lead and other toxic heavy metals: 1) Switching rice puff snacks with rice-free snacks reduces the toxic heavy metal level by 93% 2) Switching teething biscuits and rice rusks with other soothing foods for teething, like frozen banana or chilled cucumber, reduces the toxic heavy metal level by 91% 3) Switching infant rice cereal with other infant cereals like multi-grain and oatmeal reduces the toxic heavy metal level by 84% 4) Switching fruit juice with tap water reduces the toxic heavy metal level by 68% 5) Switching carrots and sweet potatoes with a variety of fruits and veggies that includes carrots, sweet potatoes, and other choices reduces the toxic heavy metal level by 73% Find the full report here: https://www.healthybabyfood.org/