New Law Requires Manufacturers to Share Levels of Heavy Metals Found in Baby Food
Yummy baby food fuels your little one’s first smiles, snuggles and steps, but it’s sometimes confusing to know whether the pureed peas you purchased are as good for your sweet pea as the label claims. New testing and labeling requirements for baby food will soon help moms make more informed decisions.
California Assembly Bill 899 (aka AB 899) requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for certain heavy metals. Now, brands have to share their findings publicly — including the levels of specific heavy metals found in each food item. While these regulations only apply to baby food made, sold, delivered or held in California, many of the same baby foods are sold nationwide — and parents across the country will be able to see this information online.[1]
This legislation is designed to make your baby’s food safer since heavy metals can pose risks to your little one’s health.[2] But seeing that there are heavy metals in your baby’s food can feel concerning. Here’s what pediatricians want you to know about AB 899 and how it aims to protect your baby’s health.
- California Assembly Bill 899 (AB 899) requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for certain heavy metals. As of January 1, 2025, brands will have to share their findings publicly.
- The law only applies to baby food made or sold in California, but parents across the country will be able to see this information online.
- While the idea of heavy metals in your baby’s food is kind of scary, it’s still safe to feed your baby storebought food.
What you need to know about the new heavy metal regulations for baby food
The first part of the law, which went into effect on January 1, 2024, requires that manufacturers test any baby food products sold or made in California for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The next phase of the law begins on January 1, 2025, and that’s when companies will have to share test results publicly on their websites.
Each month, products will be tested for heavy metals. The manufacturers will add a QR code on baby food labels that will direct consumers to a website with information about how much of various heavy metals is in the food. This information must remain available online for the product’s shelf life plus an additional month, according to the law.
“As a parent and a pediatrician, I might spend the time comparing the levels at first and seeing if a certain company seems to be doing better than a different one,” says Gina Posner, M.D., a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. That said, all baby foods are going to contain some heavy metals, says Dr. Posner — so don’t stress yourself out trying to compare every possible different option.
“Heavy metals are naturally found in the environment, so they can show up in tiny amounts in all foods, even if you make your own baby food at home,” says Daniel Ganjian, M.D., a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “It’s like a little bit of nature’s fingerprint on our food.”
It’s also important to remember that a food’s heavy metal content is just one consideration. You don’t want to avoid an otherwise nutrient-packed food altogether just because it contains some heavy metals — it can still be part of a varied, healthy diet for your baby.
“Parents should see this as a victory,” says Inderpal Randhawa, M.D., a pediatrician and medical director of the Children’s Pulmonary Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach in Long Beach, California. “Transparency in food contaminants is important for consumers.”
What to know about heavy metals and baby food
While the idea of heavy metals in your baby’s food is understandably scary, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
As a reminder, all foods — including homemade baby food — contain some heavy metals, as they’re found in our soil and water.
Health concerns around heavy metals are slightly different depending on which one you’re talking about, but the general consensus from the medical community is that it’s best to limit your exposure to them, especially early in life. Lead, for example, is linked to brain, kidney, developmental and nerve damage.
Another important thing to keep in mind about the new testing is that it doesn’t mean that there are more heavy metals in baby food than there were in the past, Dr. Randhawa says. However, the hope is that the legislation will incentivize companies to lower the amount of heavy metals that end up in their products, even if heavy metals can never be fully eliminated.
“It’s like a friendly competition to make the safest, healthiest baby food possible,” Dr. Ganjian says. Overall, Dr. Ganjian says that the regulation “could be a game changer” for families.
So what baby food should you give your baby?
If you’re worried about the food you’ve been giving your baby, don’t panic, Dr. Ganjian says. The best thing to do is focus on reducing your little one’s exposure to heavy metals going forward. Following these feeding tips can help:
- Feed your baby a variety of foods. “Offer your baby a colorful mix of fruits and veggies,” Dr. Ganjian says.
- Read baby food labels to add more variety to your baby’s diet. Choosing blends (like kale/pear or spinach/pumpkin) can help mix up your baby’s diet. You’ll also want to look at the first ingredient listed on the back. This is what makes up the majority of the food, so ideally you’ll find jars with different “first” ingredients as well.
- Be mindful of rice-based foods. These can sometimes contain higher levels of heavy metals, so it’s a good idea to feed your child a mix of grains like oatmeal, quinoa and barley in addition to rice.
- Look for products that adhere to the Clean Label Project (CLP), Dr. Randhawa advises. This nonprofit does additional testing on baby food and recognizes products that surpass the minimum recommendations from the FDA. Here is a list of baby brands that work with the CLP.
If you have questions about the new legislation or concerns about test results, talk to your child’s pediatrician. He or she can offer guidance and address any worries you have.
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