95% of baby foods tested in the United States contain toxic metals, the report says
NEW YORK (CNN) – Toxic heavy metals that damage your baby's brain development are likely in the baby food you feed your baby, according to a new study published Thursday.
Tests of 168 baby foods from major US manufacturers found that 95% contained lead, 73% contained arsenic, 75% contained cadmium, and 32% contained mercury. One quarter of the foodstuffs contained all four heavy metals.
One in five baby foods tested had over 10 times the 1 ppb lead limit approved by public health advocates, although experts agree that no lead level is safe. [19659002] The results mimicked a previous study by the Food and Drug Administration that found one or more of the same metals in 33 of 39 types of baby food tested.
Foods most at risk for neurotoxic injury were rice-based products, sweet potatoes and fruit juices, the analysis found.
"Even in the trace amounts found in food, these contaminants can alter the developing brain and erode the child's IQ. The consequences add up to every meal or snack a baby eats," the report said.
The tests were commissioned by Healthy Babies Bright Futures, which calls itself an alliance of scientists, nonprofits and donors who try to reduce exposures to neurotoxic chemicals during the first months of life.
Baby rice cereals, rice di shes, and rice-based snacks topped the list of most toxic foods for babies.
"These popular baby foods are not only high in inorganic arsenic, the most toxic form of arsenic, but are also almost always contaminated with all four toxic metals," the report said.
Previous research has shown that even low levels of arsenic exposure can affect the baby's neuronal development. A 2004 study looked at children in Bangladesh who were exposed to arsenic in drinking water and found that they scored significantly lower on intellectual tests. A meta-analysis of studies on the subject found that a 50% increase in arsenic level in urine would be associated with a 0.4-point reduction in IQ in children between 5 and 1[ads1]5 years.
Arsenic is a natural element found in soil, water and air, where the inorganic form is the most toxic. ("Inorganic" is a chemical term and has nothing to do with the farming method.)
Because rice is grown in water, it is particularly good at absorbing inorganic arsenic and, according to the Food and Drug Administration, has the highest concentration of food.
And in this case, brown and wild rice are the worst offenders because the milling process used to make white rice removes the outer layers, where much of the arsenic concentrates.
And you can't rely on organic either. A 2012 study found that brown rice syrup, a frequent sweetener in organic foods, was also a source of significant levels of arsenic. One "organic" milk formula marketed to toddlers had levels of inorganic arsenic that were six times the levels currently considered safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
In the Healthy Babies analysis, four out of seven rice mixtures contained the most toxic form of arsenic at levels higher than the FDA's proposed 100 parts per billion (ppb) action level.
Finding measures are needed by large baby food companies and the FDA, the report states. While the FDA has investigated how they can reduce exposure and some levels of arsenic in rice and juices are lower than a decade ago, exposure is still too high.
"When the FDA acts, companies respond. We need the FDA to use their authority more effectively, and much faster, to reduce toxic heavy metals in baby foods," said study author Jane Houlihan, director of research for Healthy Babies Better Futures, in a statement.
The analysis looked at which baby foods are the highest risk, and offered safer alternatives.
Butter rice snacks and cereals
Rice mixture is the most important source of arsenic in a baby's diet because it is often used as a first food; rice puffs and other rice flour snacks also contain high levels. Healthy babies suggested low-arsenic cereals, such as oatmeal and multigrain cereals, and rice-free packages of snacks.
Pediatrician Tanya Altmann, author of "What to Feed Your Baby" provides feedback from the American Academy of Pediatrics, advising parents to offer a wide variety of first foods, including grains such as oats, barley, wheat and quinoa.
"The best first foods for infants are avocado, pureed vegetables, oatmeal with peanut butter and salmon," Altmann said. "They provide all the essential nutrients that babies need, help develop their taste buds to prefer healthy foods and can reduce food allergies."
She thinks meat is a better source of iron and zinc for babies than rice grains, "so I haven't recommended rice blend as a first food for several years."
If you choose to make rice for your toddler, Healthy recommends Babies make rice in extra water and pour it off before eating. This will cut arsenic levels by 60%, they say, based on FDA studies.
"For the lowest levels, buy basmati rice grown in California, India and Pakistan. White rice has less arsenic than brown rice," the report states. so.
Tea food
Tooth biscuits may contain arsenic, lead and cadmium, the report states. Instead, soothe your baby's pain with frozen bananas, a peeled and chilled cucumber or a clean, wet washcloth – but be sure to choke.
Beverages
Juice is often the best drink for parents, but it is not a good alternative, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Juices have a lot of sugar, lack fiber and can contribute to tooth decay and later obesity. Apple, pear, grape and other fruit juices may also contain some lead and arsenic, so frequent use is a top source of these heavy metals.
Instead, experts say water and milk are the best choices, depending on the child's age. . Babies under six months only need breast milk and formula. Selected beverages for a child's second year of life should be water and whole milk. Between the ages of 2 and 5, parents should move to skim milk or low fat and continue to squeeze water to hydrate their children.
At all ages, juices should be kept to a minimum. One tip: add water to make the juice last longer and always make sure the drink is 100% juice.
Fruits and Vegetables
While sweet potatoes and carrots are good sources of vitamin A and other important nutrients, the report found that they are also high in lead and cadmium. Go ahead and feed your child these vegetables, but be sure to add many other colorful fruits and vegetables to add variety.
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