Study Finds Lead and Other Toxic Metals in a Number of Baby Foods

According to ABC 10, an organization called Healthy Babies Bright Futures, which is a nonprofit organization that works with other non-profit organizations and scientists, released a new study after examining and testing baby food.

According to the report, Healthy Babies Bright Futures tested 168 types of baby food from 61 brand name companies. Of the foods tested, 94% of containers tested positive for lead. 75% tested positive for cadmium, 73% tested positive for arsenic, almost one-third tested positive for mercury, and 26% contained all four metals.

The study also called on the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as major baby food companies, to act now to reduce or eliminate the levels of toxic materials in baby food.

According to American Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, even small exposure to lead may cause children to be hyperactive, irritable, and inattentive. Higher levels of lead exposure may lead to learning problems, delayed growth, hearing loss, and trouble when learning to read.

The full report from Healthy Babies Bright Futures can be found here.

[via: ABC 10/ American Academy of Children and Adolescent Pychiatry]