The Earths Best(r) brand of baby food is made from organic fruits and vegetables. The company’s founders, Ron and Arnie Koss, knew the importance of wholesome nourishment for babies. They also promoted environmental responsibility. These are just some of the many reasons why you should consider using this organic line of baby food. But before you make your final decision, read on to learn more about the products. This article will help you make the right choice.
Mercury
Hain does not test its baby food for mercury, and an independent study found that the company’s Earth’s Best Organic formula contains 2.4 ppb of mercury, more than the EPA limit for drinking water. Mercury is the third most toxic element in the environment, after lead and arsenic. It can affect neurological development and lead to developmental problems in children. In this report, I’ll look at the effects of mercury on baby’s health, and why Mercury is bad.
Some baby foods contain high levels of inorganic arsenic and other toxic metals, which are not healthy for newborns. Mercury is an especially harmful element, and there is no safe level. The U.S. government has not yet released a report on the safety of different types of baby foods, but one report concluded that many popular brands are a risk. This means that it is important for parents to choose safe foods for their infants. Mercury-free foods contain very low levels of mercury, which is the most harmful for infants.
In February 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy published a report on the risks associated with the ingredients in Earth’s Best Organic baby food. Four companies cooperated with the report, including Earth’s Best Organic. They provided internal policies and heavy metal testing results to the committee. A Congressional report also notes that “elements in these formulas are harmful to infant neurological development.”
Heavy metals have toxic effects on the human body, and a growing body of medical research shows that they are linked to neurological disorders. Regular exposure to heavy metals during gestation, infancy, and childhood is linked to higher rates of autism. A study published in 2014 determined that prenatal exposure to mercury causes a twofold increase in the risk of developing autism or ADD. A similar study published three years later also confirmed this finding.
The Hain Celestial Group owns Earth’s Best Organic brand. Founded in 1985, Earth’s Best was one of the first companies to sell organic baby food. In 2000, the company was purchased by Hain Celestial Group. The company offers a variety of organic baby cereals and snacks. Unfortunately, some of these foods still contain dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic.
Arsenic
While rice cereal is one of the safest baby foods, other varieties contain high levels of arsenic. Rice products are not only high-risk, but also contain other heavy metals. These metals may remain in the environment for decades because of past pesticide use. Some of these products may have a higher concentration of arsenic than others, and processing methods may increase the amount of these metals in the foods. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the risks associated with these foods.
The US government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed new rules on the amount of inorganic arsenic in baby foods. Hain, the maker of Earth’s Best Organic foods, has been under scrutiny for its use of high-arsenic ingredients in its products. Specifically, the company tested their baby rice cereal products for arsenic levels that exceeded 100 parts per billion. But the company didn’t follow these rules and incorporated these new standards into their products, so the amount of inorganic arsenic in their puffs was significantly higher than the limit set by the F.D.A.
The Subcommittee found that Hain consistently underestimates the levels of toxic heavy metals in its Earth’s Best Organic baby food by as much as 100%. Actual finished-product testing revealed that Earth’s Best organic baby food contains levels of arsenic up to 93% higher than Hain’s estimates. These levels could be very harmful for your child. It is also possible for your child to develop neurologic problems after prolonged exposure to inorganic arsenic.
Inorganic arsenic levels in Hain’s finished baby food products ranged from 28 percent to 93% higher than the limits set by the F.D.A. Earlier this year, the agency published final guidelines for infant rice cereals that contained no more than 100 parts per billion of arsenic. However, in January, all of the company’s rice cereal products will contain less than 100 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic.
In light of the recent report, the House Subcommittee called on the FDA to enforce stricter limits for heavy metals in baby foods. The government agency should require manufacturers to test their finished products and publish the results. The FDA has pledged to reduce the amount of toxic elements in the food supply and should hold manufacturers accountable for their commitments. And as a result, more states should take their lead and adopt a similar policy.
Lead
According to a report by Healthy Babies Bright Futures, 94% of baby food tested contained dangerous amounts of lead. Lead is a carcinogen that has been linked to damage to the developing brain. It is also linked to increased risk of cancer. Other toxic elements found in baby food include arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. The government does not regulate the levels of these chemicals in baby food.
In February 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy found that many baby foods contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. The report noted that Earth’s Best Organic formulas contain high levels of lead and cadmium. While the levels in Earth’s Best Baby Food are low compared to other brands, the report states that ‘a substantial amount of lead was detected in each product’s formulation.
Although all the products tested contained detectable amounts of lead, most of them had acceptable levels of Cadmium and Arsenic. The only exception was Beech-Nut Mixed Vegetables. Other foods containing lead or cadmium may be contaminated with these heavy metals through the manufacturing process. Nonetheless, it’s important to choose a variety of foods for your baby to minimize exposure to harmful substances.
Another company that uses lead in its baby food, Beech-Nut, has voluntarily recalled a rice cereal for infants because of the risks associated with it. The company has ceased selling the product after the recall. In addition, the company has restricted the use of brown rice in its baby food. This is a significant change from what was previously used, but it is still not enough to prevent the risk of lead exposure.
Although the FDA has deferred setting final limits for lead and mercury, it is concerned about the safety of other baby foods. For example, cadmium was found in 75% of the samples tested by Gerber. In some cases, levels were even higher than the five parts per billion recommended by the FDA. The FDA should also standardize the maximum levels of these toxic elements in baby foods. There are currently no regulations on sweet potatoes.
Cadmium
A recent report by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy revealed that many brands of baby food contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. Cadmium is a common metal that can cause severe food poisoning. Hain, the maker of Earth’s Best Organic baby food, failed to comply with its own standards when testing its products. The company’s failure to follow its own standards is a cause for concern.
According to the study, a majority of purees tested contained high levels of Cadmium and Lead. The most dangerous purees were those made with carrots and beech nuts. Other food additives and the manufacturing process may also contribute to the levels of heavy metals in the food. The study suggests that a variety of foods is best to limit your child’s exposure to heavy metals.
Although Hain does not test its products for mercury, independent testing revealed that Earth’s Best Organic baby foods contained 2.4 parts per billion (ppb) of mercury. That is far more than the two-ppb limit for mercury in drinking water. Furthermore, the U.S. FDA allows only a maximum of two parts per billion (ppb) of cadmium in bottled water. The study’s authors concluded that Earth’s Best Organic baby food is dangerous.
The study was conducted by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping parents minimize the exposure of their children to toxic substances. The group found that 94% of tested baby food products contained measurable levels of cadmium. It also found that the company’s organic sensitivity infant formula contained 1.4 ppb of cadmium. The findings were alarming for parents and scientists alike.
The CDC has said that there is an increased risk of autism among children exposed to heavy metals in their diet. The findings suggest that cadmium in baby food may contribute to the development of autism. Parents can submit free claims for claim reviews with the CDC. They can also submit a claim with Earth’s Best or Beech-Nut. And if you’re unsure which brand of baby food is safe, you can always consult with a qualified health professional.