- Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the presence of toxic heavy metals in baby food through a bipartisan effort.
- Krishnamoorthi criticized the FDA for failing to act on findings from a 2021 report that revealed dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in baby food. He highlighted the FDA's failure to set enforceable limits or take meaningful steps to reduce contamination, leaving parents concerned about their children's health.
- Krishnamoorthi expressed support for the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda, emphasizing the need to improve the nation's food supply by eliminating contaminants in baby food.
- Recent studies and lawsuits have exposed alarming levels of heavy metals and pesticides in baby food. For example, a 2022 investigation found neonicotinoid pesticides linked to neurological disorders, while lawsuits allege that contaminated products caused autism in children.
- Parents and advocates are calling for stricter regulations and transparency in the baby food industry, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect children's health.
Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to join a bipartisan effort to tackle the alarming presence of toxic heavy metals in baby food.
In a letter sent to Kennedy, Krishnamoorthi requested a briefing to develop a "strategic, evidence-based plan" to address the issue, which he says has been neglected for years. (Related: Baby food industry knowingly poisons infants with heavy metals – investigation.)
The push comes after a 2021 U.S. House of Representatives staff report, co-authored by Krishnamoorthi, revealed that some baby foods contained lead at levels up to 177 times higher than the permissible amount for drinking water. The report also highlighted the presence of other toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury, in products intended for infants and young children.
Krishnamoorthi criticized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to take meaningful action. "In the four years since my investigation, FDA has failed to promptly finalize action levels for toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury, in foods intended for infants and young children... FDA has continually pushed back its own deadlines and caused parents across the country to worry about their babies' exposure to toxic heavy metals. FDA has not only failed to remove heavy metals from baby food but even to take incremental steps to move closer to this goal," Krishnamoorthi wrote.
He then called on Kennedy to "urge the future FDA commissioner to take on baby food safety as one of the agency's top priorities."
The letter also referenced the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda, a policy initiative that seeks to address factors contributing to the chronic disease epidemic in the U.S. Krishnamoorthi expressed support for the agenda's goals, particularly its focus on improving the nation's food supply.
"While we disagree on many things, I trust that you will agree with me that one vitally important way to accomplish that goal is to improve the nation’s food supply, starting by eliminating contaminants in mass produced baby food," he wrote.
Krishnamoorthi's letter requested a written response from Kennedy and called for a briefing to discuss the next steps.
Studies expose alarming levels of heavy metals and pesticides in baby food
The claims of Krishnamoorthi have been supported by several studies.
For instance, in January 2023, the FDA introduced its first-ever guidelines for lead levels in baby foods due to high levels of toxic metals, recommending that manufacturers limit lead to no more than 10 parts per billion in certain products. However, these guidelines are not enforceable, leaving child food safety advocates disappointed.
The issue extends beyond heavy metals.
A 2022 investigation by Friends of the Earth found alarming levels of neonicotinoid pesticides, linked to birth defects and neurological disorders like autism, in baby food sold by Target. Additionally, research by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures revealed that nearly all U.S. baby foods, whether store-bought or homemade, contain detectable amounts of toxic heavy metals that can impair brain development.
Legal action is also mounting against baby food manufacturers.
In 2023, a mother filed a lawsuit against Beech-Nut, Gerber and Walmart, alleging that her child developed autism after consuming their products, which were found to contain high levels of toxic metals. Several other class action lawsuits are pending in federal courts, accusing manufacturers of selling contaminated products that have harmed children’s health.
As parents and advocates demand stricter regulations and greater transparency, the findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety of baby food products.
Follow CleanFoodWatch.com for more stories on contaminated food sold in groceries.
Watch the video below to learn more about toxic substances in baby food.
This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Nestle's baby food brands sold in developing countries contain high levels of added sugar.
FDA proposes limiting lead levels in processed baby food for the very first time.
Lawsuit claiming heavy metals in baby food are causing autism and ADHD given green light to proceed.
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