Changes are on the way for certain baby food labels. Here’s why pediatricians say there’s no need to worry.

Yummy baby food fuels your little one’s first smiles, snuggles, and steps. But sometimes, it can be confusing to know if the pureed peas you bought are as good for your baby as the label claims. With new testing and labeling requirements for baby food, parents will soon have more clarity to make informed choices for their little ones.

Key Takeaways

California Assembly Bill 899 (AB 899) requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for certain heavy metals, and starting January 1, 2025, brands will have to share their findings publicly. This legislation only applies to baby food sold or made in California, but parents across the U.S. will be able to view this information online.

While the thought of heavy metals in baby food may be concerning, store-bought food remains safe for your baby when it’s part of a varied and balanced diet.

What You Need to Know About the New Heavy Metal Regulations for Baby Food

The first part of the legislation, which took effect on January 1, 2024, requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for four specific heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Starting January 1, 2025, companies will be required to share their test results publicly. Every month, products will be tested for these heavy metals, and baby food labels will include a QR code that links to the product’s results online. This information must remain available online for the duration of the product’s shelf life, plus an additional month.

The Perspective of Medical Experts

As a parent and pediatrician, Dr. Gina Posner suggests that you might initially compare the heavy metal levels across different brands to see which one seems to perform better. However, she points out that all baby foods will contain some trace amount of heavy metals. Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician, explains that heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment, which means they can show up in trace amounts in all foods, even those you make at home. “It’s like a little bit of nature’s fingerprint on our food,” he says.

It’s important to note that a food’s heavy metal content should be just one consideration when evaluating its health benefits. Avoiding an otherwise nutritious food just because it contains some heavy metals may not be the best approach. In fact, such foods can still be part of a healthy and varied diet for your baby.

Dr. Inderpal Randhawa emphasizes that the transparency in food labeling is a win for consumers. “This is a victory for parents,” he says. Having access to this information empowers families to make more informed decisions about their baby’s food.

What to Know About Heavy Metals and Baby Food

Although the idea of heavy metals in your baby’s food is understandably concerning, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Heavy metals are naturally found in the soil and water, which is why they appear in trace amounts in all foods, including homemade baby food. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has set action levels for lead in baby food to guide manufacturers:

• 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (except single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (like grain- and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards, puddings, and single-ingredient meats.
• 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables.
• 20 ppb for dry infant cereals.

Different heavy metals pose different risks, but experts generally agree that limiting exposure, especially early in life, is crucial. Lead, for example, is known to cause damage to the brain, kidneys, development, and nerves.

It’s also essential to recognize that the testing process doesn’t necessarily indicate that baby food has more heavy metals now than it did in the past. Instead, the hope is that these regulations will encourage companies to reduce heavy metal levels, even if they can never be fully eliminated. Dr. Ganjian sees this as a “friendly competition” to make the safest, healthiest baby food possible, and believes that the regulation has the potential to be a “game changer” for families.

What Baby Food Should You Give Your Baby?

If you’re worried about the baby food you’ve been giving your little one, Dr. Ganjian suggests not panicking. The best thing to do is focus on reducing heavy metal exposure moving forward. Here are some helpful tips for feeding your baby:

• Feed Your Baby a Variety of Foods: Offer your baby a colorful mix of fruits and vegetables, says Dr. Ganjian. This will not only provide essential nutrients but also help reduce exposure to heavy metals by ensuring a varied diet.
• Read Baby Food Labels: Look for blends of different fruits and vegetables (like kale and pear or spinach and pumpkin) to help diversify your baby’s diet. Pay attention to the first ingredient on the label, as this is what makes up the majority of the food. Ideally, you want to find jars with different “first” ingredients to give your baby more variety.
• Be Mindful of Rice-Based Foods: Rice-based baby foods may contain higher levels of heavy metals, so consider offering other grains like oatmeal, quinoa, or barley along with rice.
• Look for Clean Label Project (CLP) Certified Products: Dr. Randhawa recommends looking for products that meet the Clean Label Project’s criteria. This nonprofit organization performs additional testing on baby food and recognizes products that exceed the minimum recommendations from the FDA.

If you have any concerns about the new regulations or the test results, feel free to reach out to your pediatrician. They can offer valuable guidance and help address any worries you might have about your baby’s food.