Ultimate Guide to Choosing Safe and Nutritious Baby Food for Your Little One

Parents now have a valuable new resource to ensure their baby food choices are safe. Thanks to a recent law in California, baby food manufacturers must publish their test results for heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury on their websites. This change comes after years of advocacy from groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Consumer Reports.

For over a decade, Consumer Reports has highlighted the dangers of heavy metals in baby food. In a past study, they found that about two-thirds of the 50 baby foods tested contained concerning levels of these metals. Baby snacks, particularly those made from rice or sweet potatoes, often showed the highest levels, as rice tends to absorb more heavy metals than other plants.

Starting in 2024, baby food manufacturers will need to test their products for harmful metals every month. The results will be easily accessible online for products made this year and later. Parents can quickly check the metal levels by scanning a QR code on the food labels, making it easier to find safer options.

Dr. Darria Long, an ER physician, stresses the importance of this law, pointing out that infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of heavy metals. Even small amounts over time can lead to significant health issues, including developmental delays and learning difficulties.

This new law primarily targets foods for children under two years old but does not cover infant formula. In a recent survey by Consumer Reports and the nonprofit Unleaded Kids, only four out of thirty baby food companies committed to sharing their test results for 2024: Plum Organics, Lil’ Gourmets, Once Upon a Farm, and Square Baby. Notably, companies like Once Upon a Farm and Kabrita are also raising their safety standards beyond what the law requires.

If a baby food package does not feature a QR code, parents can typically find the test results on the manufacturer’s website. While it’s recommended to maintain a varied diet, parents don’t need to avoid foods like sweet potatoes entirely. Some healthier options with lower metal levels include infant cereals made from oats, fresh fruit, beans, cheese, and yogurt.