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A government report recently revealed the presence of high amounts of toxic heavy metals in several baby food brands. These metals—arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—pose significant health risks for the neurodevelopment of babies and children. Such risks are similar to the ADHD and autism risks associated with Tylenol use during pregnancy.
Specifically, these toxic metals are linked with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Even at low levels, exposure can cause irreversible neurological damage to babies and young children, whose brains are still developing. Parents who have used such baby food products were surprised and outraged to learn that major baby food companies knowingly sold tainted products.
These manufacturers include Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics products), Beech Nut, Hain (Earth’s Best Organic), Gerber, Campbell (Plum Organics), Wal-Mart (Parent’s Choice), and Sprout Organic Foods. A baby food recall has already been issued for at least one product line (Beech Nut infant rice cereal).
Legal action has been initiated in order to provide injured victims with damages and to hold the manufacturers liable for their negligence. If you or someone you know have been affected by toxic heavy metals in baby food products, contact The Oshman Firm at 844-645-0838. Our attorneys are currently investigating the issue and accepting cases to pursue justice for victims nationwide.
Which Companies Are Being Held Responsible?
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy issued a report entitled “Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury.” According to the report, several manufacturers are being linked with baby food products tainted with toxic heavy metals.
These include baby food products made by the following manufacturers:
- Nurture, Inc. (Nurture), seller of Happy Family Organics, including baby food products under the brand name HappyBABY
- Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut), maker of infant rice cereal products that were recently subject to a voluntary baby food recall
- Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Hain), which sells baby food products under the brand name Earth’s Best Organic
- Gerber, maker of various purees, snacks, cereals, and other products
- Campbell Soup Company (Campbell), which sells baby food products under the brand name Plum Organics
- Walmart Inc. (Walmart), which sells baby food products through its private brand Parent’s Choice
- Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods), owned by North Castle Partners
Three of the companies—Walmart, Campbell, and Sprout Organic Foods—refused to cooperate with the Subcommittee’s investigation. According to language in the report, the Subcommittee is “greatly concerned that their lack of cooperation might be obscuring the presence of even higher levels of toxic heavy metals in their baby food products than their competitors’ products.”
Which Metals Were Found in the Baby Food Products? What Are the Dangers and Injuries Linked to Metal Toxins?
The Subcommittee alleges that staggering levels of the following toxic metals were found in baby food products:
Exposure to these substances can cause the following in children:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Permanent decreases in IQ
- Increased risk of criminal and antisocial behavior
- Long-term brain function impairment
- Negative effects on neurological development
Safe levels of exposure to these heavy metals for infants is basically zero. However, for certain products, the report found 177 times more than the acceptable level of lead, 91 times more than the acceptable level of arsenic, 69 times more than the acceptable level of cadmium, and up to 5 times more than the acceptable level of mercury.
Which Baby Food Products Are Tainted With Toxic Metals?
The baby food products referenced in the 2021 report include a wide range of foods, including:
- Cereals
- Various purees
- Juices
- Snack puffs
In particular, the report focused on products high in rice content such as snack puffs, crackers, cookies, and teething biscuits. Various rice puff products have been found to be contaminated, including Apple & Broccoli Puffs, Banana & Pumpkin Puffs, and other similar products.
Baby foods containing rice have consistently been problematic, especially with regard to arsenic levels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a threshold for arsenic in infant rice cereal at 100 ppb. These guidelines were introduced only as recently as 2016, and this level is still ten times greater than the arsenic levels allowed for bottled water.
If you are unsure of whether your child has consumed tainted baby food products, contact us today at 844-645-0838. Our attorneys have the experience and resources needed to investigate your circumstances and determine whether there may be a link between the tainted products and the health of your child or loved one.
Is There a Recall on Baby Food? What Baby Foods Have Been Recalled?
In June of 2021, Beech Nut issued a voluntary baby food recall for its rice cereal product (Single Grain Rice Cereal, Item UPC 52200034705). The recall was initiated after routine sampling revealed that arsenic levels in the product were above the FDA’s maximum limit of 100 parts per billion.
Along with the baby food recall, Beech Nut announced that it will be exiting the rice cereal sector for baby foods and will no longer be selling infant rice cereal products. The company is concerned about their ability to consistently obtain rice flour that is below the FDA allowable levels for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.
What does this mean for consumers?
Since there may be issues with the sources of the rice flour used in infant products, other baby food recall announcements may follow. When using any infant food products, be sure to check that they have not been subject to a baby food recall.
Concerned parents may follow the FDA’s recall announcement and alert page to stay updated with current information. If you are unsure of the status or safety of a product, contact a baby food recall lawyer for guidance.
By pursuing legal action, you can help contribute to increased health and safety for consumers and prevent such issues from happening in the future.
How Can a Baby Food Lawsuit Help?
Injured and affected persons can benefit from filing a baby food lawsuit to pursue a legal remedy. The damages or settlement award obtained from such a case can help provide financial relief and assistance for:
- Long-term, ongoing medical costs
- Additional treatments and therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Expenses not covered by standard insurance
In addition, lawsuits can help bring about change. Holding negligent companies accountable for their actions can often lead to:
- Product recalls to remove dangerous products from the market
- Improved safety standards for infant food products
- Overall reform in the way baby food products are tested and approved
By pursuing legal action, you can help contribute to increased health and safety for consumers, and can prevent such issues from recurring in the future for other parents and children.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Baby Food Recall Injury Case?
Dealing with the effects of any defective or tainted product can be stressful and worrisome. You may not know where to begin or how to understand the issues involved. This is where the assistance and legal expertise of a lawyer can help. Your attorney can research your case and the relevant laws to determine what your legal rights are and what can be done to bring justice to you and your family.
At The Oshman Firm, we provide each of our clients with the time, attention, and respect they deserve when they entrust their case to us. We create an environment where each client feels heard and kept up-to-date with the progress of their case. And we never charge a fee unless we are successful on your behalf. Contact us now at 844-645-0838 schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your baby food lawsuit with us.