What’s alarming is that as much as 95% of baby food products from some of the most popular brands in the U.S. contain significant levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. (3) In tests commissioned by HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures), toxic heavy metals were found in 95% of the 168 commercial baby foods tested. Many were at dangerous levels, higher than the limits set by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). (3) In February and September 2021, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the U.S. Congress released a detailed Congressional Report on toxic products prepared by seven popular baby food companies. (4) What were the Subcommittee’s findings, and how did the companies respond? Which products contained high levels of toxic heavy metals? Gerber Products Company was among the baby food manufacturers listed on the report. Over the years, Gerber had issued some baby food recalls. But did the new reports lead to a recall of the affected Gerber baby foods and snacks? Continue reading to learn more.
Gerber Baby Food Recall
Despite being included in the Congressional Report, no Gerber baby food recall was issued afterward. The rest of the baby food manufacturers mentioned in the report didn’t issue a recall either. To date, only the following Gerber products have been recalled:
Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups (2017)
Back in 2017, Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups were recalled, but not because of heavy metals.
Date Recalled: March 08, 2017
Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg components (allergens) on the product label. (5)
Affected Products: UPC (Universal Product Code) 159070
Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-510-7494
Gerber Organic 2ND FOODS Pouches (2016)
Date Recalled: March 24, 2016
Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects that may result in product spoilage during handling and transport. (6)
Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-706-0556
Affected Products: (6)
Carrots, Apples & Mangoes; with best before dates: July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX), and July 14, 2016 (batch 51965335XX) Pears, Carrots & Peas; with best before dates: July 12, 2016 (batch 51945335XX), and July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX)
Gerber In Subcommittee Congressional Reports On Toxic Baby Foods
The Subcommittee asked the following baby food manufacturers to submit test results of the products that reportedly have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (4)
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY and Happy Family Organics) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut) Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) Gerber Products Company Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice) Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
Of these seven companies, only Gerber, Nurture, Hain, and Beech-Nut submitted their test results and internal standards or testing policies to the Subcommittee. (4) Walmart, Sprout, and Campbell refused to cooperate, according to the Congressional Report. (4) However, despite complying with the request, the four companies alarmed the Subcommittee over test results that showed heavy metal levels were several times the FDA’s maximum allowable levels. (4) FDA maximum limits in ppb or parts per billion for infant rice cereal: (7)
100 ppb inorganic arsenic
FDA maximum limits in ppb for bottled water:
5 ppb cadmium
5 ppb lead
10 ppb inorganic arsenic
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit in ppb for drinking water (also applies to food):
2 ppb mercury
The Subcommittee was alarmed that the companies didn’t correct the heavy metal levels in their raw materials and finished products. Instead, these baby food companies created internal standards with increased limits. (4) According to their new reports, these companies’ finished products passed because they have higher limits for their internal standards. Yet, the actual results are still several times higher than the FDA standards. The state of Alaska independently tested Gerber baby food products and found dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic in their infant rice cereals. The second Congressional report on baby food revealed that despite Alaska’s test results Gerber failed to notify the public and also failed to pull those products from the market. As head of the congressional subcommittee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi states: The following are the affected baby food products, based on test results submitted by the companies or third party organizations: (4) I’ve released a new report on toxic metals in baby food, including popular brands such as Gerber’s Infant Rice Cereal products containing dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic. We trust these companies with our babies, and they have failed us.”
Gerber Products Company
The company declared to the Subcommittee that it doesn’t test the finished products for heavy metal content. Only the raw materials are tested. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 90 ppb in ingredients from rice flour (67 batches)
Lead:
Up to 48 ppb in ingredients from sweet potatoes
Cadmium:
Over 5 ppb in 75% of ingredients from carrots Up to 87 ppb in some tested carrot batches The company doesn’t test the other raw materials or ingredients for this heavy metal.
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY And Happy Family Organics)
Of all the baby food manufacturers in the Congressional Report, only Nurture regularly tests ingredients and finished products for heavy metals. Despite the high levels of heavy metals in their finished products, Nurture admitted that the test results aren’t used as a basis for product release. (4) In response to the investigation, the company wrote to Subcommittee Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi that heavy metal testing is only done for its internal monitoring program under the company policy. It sold all the tested items, whether they passed or failed. (4) Mercury:
Up to 9.8 ppb in the finished product (Banana Sweet Potato) Up to 10 ppb in the finished product (Brown Rice Cereal Canister)
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 100 ppb for over 25% of Nurture finished products Up to 160 in Strawberry & Beet Puffs Up to 160 in Banana & Pumpkin Puffs Up to 180 ppb in Apple & Broccoli Puffs
Lead:
Up to 10 ppb for close to 20% of Nurture vegetables and rice products Up to 560 ppb in Multi-Grain Cereal Canister Up to 641 ppb in Blueberry Purple Carrot
Cadmium:
Up to 5 ppb in 65% of Nurture baby products Up to 36 ppb in Strawberry Raspberry Up to 49 ppb for Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
According to the Congressional Report, Beech-Nut declared that all its raw materials passed internal standards. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
More than 300 ppb in additives used in various products Up to 913.4 ppb in raw materials
Lead:
Up to 886.9 ppb in raw materials
Cadmium:
Up to 344.55 ppb in raw materials
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
According to the Subcommittee report, Hain admitted that it’s only using “theoretical calculations,” not actual test results. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 129 ppb in finished products Up to 309 ppb in ingredients
Lead:
Up to 352 ppb in a vitamin premix (raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 260 ppb in ingredients
Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics)
According to the Subcommittee, the company provided them with a report declaring that each of the finished products “meets criteria.” But the company reportedly refused to provide their actual test results or internal standards and criteria. The following results are based on data from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, instead: (3) Mercury:
Less than 0.142 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 3.1 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Lead:
Up to 5.6 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Cadmium:
Up to 2.3 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
Walmart didn’t submit any test results to the Subcommittee. The following results are also from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, too: (3) Mercury:
Up to 0.941 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 2.05 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 56.1 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 108 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Lead:
Up to 5.2 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack
Up to 26.9 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Cadmium:
Up to 26.1 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 2.4 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
According to the Congressional Report, the company never responded to the Subcommittee. The following results also come from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report: (3) Mercury:
Up to 1.31 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 107 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Lead:
Up to 39.3 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Cadmium:
Up to 41.5 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Healthy Baby Food Products
There are so many possible contaminants and harmful ingredients in our food supply. Some of these are from pesticides. Because heavy metals and other contaminants could greatly affect babies’ body and brain development, Consumer Reports and the US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) call for the passing of the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021. (8) If this passes into law, baby food manufacturers will be required to test and disclose their test results to regulators and parents. The law will also direct the FDA to adopt and implement stricter limits for baby foods. Consumer Reports and the AAP (American Academy for Pediatrics) call for further changes: (4)
Lowering inorganic arsenic maximum levels to 3 ppb in all baby foods; the current FDA and EPA limit is 10 ppb. Lowering maximum cadmium limits to 1 ppb in fruit juices; the current FDA limit is 5 ppb. Lowering maximum lead limits to 1 ppb in all baby foods; the current FDA limit is 5 ppb.
Healthy Babies Bright Futures also calls for baby food companies to set a goal of zero inorganic arsenic and lead levels in all baby food products. The following are some healthy alternatives to the unsafe products in the report:
Little Spoon (subscription-based organic baby food) Yumi (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Journey Organics Once Upon A Farm Serenity Kids
Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home
Instead of worrying about food recalls, preparing fresh and organic baby foods at home might be a good idea. You can buy a baby food maker set such as the Baby Brezza Small Baby Food Maker Set – Cooker and Blender in One or use the appliances you already have in your kitchen in preparing your baby’s food. Note that rice and rice flour may have high levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. It’s best to avoid preparing these foods for your baby. Healthier alternatives include:
Bananas Apples Grapes Hard-boiled eggs Yogurt Peaches Barley with diced vegetables Quinoa Whole or pureed fruits
Sweet potatoes and carrots can also have high levels of lead and cadmium. But they are important sources of vitamin A and other nutrients. You’ll still need to include these foods in your child’s diet, but make sure they aren’t taken in excess. (3) REFERENCES (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/ (2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/ (3) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf (4) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf (5) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr (6) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches (7) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements (8) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/
title: “Gerber Products Baby Food Snacks Recall Motherhood Community” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-01” author: “Rosemary Hayhoe”
What’s alarming is that as much as 95% of baby food products from some of the most popular brands in the U.S. contain significant levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. (3) In tests commissioned by HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures), toxic heavy metals were found in 95% of the 168 commercial baby foods tested. Many were at dangerous levels, higher than the limits set by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). (3) In February and September 2021, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the U.S. Congress released a detailed Congressional Report on toxic products prepared by seven popular baby food companies. (4) What were the Subcommittee’s findings, and how did the companies respond? Which products contained high levels of toxic heavy metals? Gerber Products Company was among the baby food manufacturers listed on the report. Over the years, Gerber had issued some baby food recalls. But did the new reports lead to a recall of the affected Gerber baby foods and snacks? Continue reading to learn more.
Gerber Baby Food Recall
Despite being included in the Congressional Report, no Gerber baby food recall was issued afterward. The rest of the baby food manufacturers mentioned in the report didn’t issue a recall either. To date, only the following Gerber products have been recalled:
Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups (2017)
Back in 2017, Gerber Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups were recalled, but not because of heavy metals.
Date Recalled: March 08, 2017
Reasons For Recall: Undeclared egg components (allergens) on the product label. (5)
Affected Products: UPC (Universal Product Code) 159070
Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-510-7494
Gerber Organic 2ND FOODS Pouches (2016)
Date Recalled: March 24, 2016
Reasons For Recall: Packaging defects that may result in product spoilage during handling and transport. (6)
Return or Refund Processing: Call 1-800-706-0556
Affected Products: (6)
Carrots, Apples & Mangoes; with best before dates: July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX), and July 14, 2016 (batch 51965335XX) Pears, Carrots & Peas; with best before dates: July 12, 2016 (batch 51945335XX), and July 13, 2016 (batch 51955335XX)
Gerber In Subcommittee Congressional Reports On Toxic Baby Foods
The Subcommittee asked the following baby food manufacturers to submit test results of the products that reportedly have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (4)
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY and Happy Family Organics) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut) Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) Gerber Products Company Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice) Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
Of these seven companies, only Gerber, Nurture, Hain, and Beech-Nut submitted their test results and internal standards or testing policies to the Subcommittee. (4) Walmart, Sprout, and Campbell refused to cooperate, according to the Congressional Report. (4) However, despite complying with the request, the four companies alarmed the Subcommittee over test results that showed heavy metal levels were several times the FDA’s maximum allowable levels. (4) FDA maximum limits in ppb or parts per billion for infant rice cereal: (7)
100 ppb inorganic arsenic
FDA maximum limits in ppb for bottled water:
5 ppb cadmium
5 ppb lead
10 ppb inorganic arsenic
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit in ppb for drinking water (also applies to food):
2 ppb mercury
The Subcommittee was alarmed that the companies didn’t correct the heavy metal levels in their raw materials and finished products. Instead, these baby food companies created internal standards with increased limits. (4) According to their new reports, these companies’ finished products passed because they have higher limits for their internal standards. Yet, the actual results are still several times higher than the FDA standards. The state of Alaska independently tested Gerber baby food products and found dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic in their infant rice cereals. The second Congressional report on baby food revealed that despite Alaska’s test results Gerber failed to notify the public and also failed to pull those products from the market. As head of the congressional subcommittee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi states: The following are the affected baby food products, based on test results submitted by the companies or third party organizations: (4) I’ve released a new report on toxic metals in baby food, including popular brands such as Gerber’s Infant Rice Cereal products containing dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic. We trust these companies with our babies, and they have failed us.”
Gerber Products Company
The company declared to the Subcommittee that it doesn’t test the finished products for heavy metal content. Only the raw materials are tested. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 90 ppb in ingredients from rice flour (67 batches)
Lead:
Up to 48 ppb in ingredients from sweet potatoes
Cadmium:
Over 5 ppb in 75% of ingredients from carrots Up to 87 ppb in some tested carrot batches The company doesn’t test the other raw materials or ingredients for this heavy metal.
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY And Happy Family Organics)
Of all the baby food manufacturers in the Congressional Report, only Nurture regularly tests ingredients and finished products for heavy metals. Despite the high levels of heavy metals in their finished products, Nurture admitted that the test results aren’t used as a basis for product release. (4) In response to the investigation, the company wrote to Subcommittee Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi that heavy metal testing is only done for its internal monitoring program under the company policy. It sold all the tested items, whether they passed or failed. (4) Mercury:
Up to 9.8 ppb in the finished product (Banana Sweet Potato) Up to 10 ppb in the finished product (Brown Rice Cereal Canister)
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 100 ppb for over 25% of Nurture finished products Up to 160 in Strawberry & Beet Puffs Up to 160 in Banana & Pumpkin Puffs Up to 180 ppb in Apple & Broccoli Puffs
Lead:
Up to 10 ppb for close to 20% of Nurture vegetables and rice products Up to 560 ppb in Multi-Grain Cereal Canister Up to 641 ppb in Blueberry Purple Carrot
Cadmium:
Up to 5 ppb in 65% of Nurture baby products Up to 36 ppb in Strawberry Raspberry Up to 49 ppb for Multi-Grain Cereal Canister
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
According to the Congressional Report, Beech-Nut declared that all its raw materials passed internal standards. But the company had set very high internal maximum levels, so the ingredients actually failed government regulations. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
More than 300 ppb in additives used in various products Up to 913.4 ppb in raw materials
Lead:
Up to 886.9 ppb in raw materials
Cadmium:
Up to 344.55 ppb in raw materials
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
According to the Subcommittee report, Hain admitted that it’s only using “theoretical calculations,” not actual test results. (4) Mercury:
The company doesn’t test for mercury
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 129 ppb in finished products Up to 309 ppb in ingredients
Lead:
Up to 352 ppb in a vitamin premix (raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 260 ppb in ingredients
Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics)
According to the Subcommittee, the company provided them with a report declaring that each of the finished products “meets criteria.” But the company reportedly refused to provide their actual test results or internal standards and criteria. The following results are based on data from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, instead: (3) Mercury:
Less than 0.142 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 3.1 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Lead:
Up to 5.6 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Cadmium:
Up to 2.3 ppb in Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food
Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
Walmart didn’t submit any test results to the Subcommittee. The following results are also from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report, too: (3) Mercury:
Up to 0.941 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 2.05 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 56.1 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 108 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Lead:
Up to 5.2 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack
Up to 26.9 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Cadmium:
Up to 26.1 ppb in Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack Up to 2.4 ppb in Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks
Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
According to the Congressional Report, the company never responded to the Subcommittee. The following results also come from the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report: (3) Mercury:
Up to 1.31 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 107 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Lead:
Up to 39.3 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Cadmium:
Up to 41.5 ppb in Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack – Apple Kale.
Healthy Baby Food Products
There are so many possible contaminants and harmful ingredients in our food supply. Some of these are from pesticides. Because heavy metals and other contaminants could greatly affect babies’ body and brain development, Consumer Reports and the US PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) call for the passing of the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021. (8) If this passes into law, baby food manufacturers will be required to test and disclose their test results to regulators and parents. The law will also direct the FDA to adopt and implement stricter limits for baby foods. Consumer Reports and the AAP (American Academy for Pediatrics) call for further changes: (4)
Lowering inorganic arsenic maximum levels to 3 ppb in all baby foods; the current FDA and EPA limit is 10 ppb. Lowering maximum cadmium limits to 1 ppb in fruit juices; the current FDA limit is 5 ppb. Lowering maximum lead limits to 1 ppb in all baby foods; the current FDA limit is 5 ppb.
Healthy Babies Bright Futures also calls for baby food companies to set a goal of zero inorganic arsenic and lead levels in all baby food products. The following are some healthy alternatives to the unsafe products in the report:
Little Spoon (subscription-based organic baby food) Yumi (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Journey Organics Once Upon A Farm Serenity Kids
Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home
Instead of worrying about food recalls, preparing fresh and organic baby foods at home might be a good idea. You can buy a baby food maker set such as the Baby Brezza Small Baby Food Maker Set – Cooker and Blender in One or use the appliances you already have in your kitchen in preparing your baby’s food. Note that rice and rice flour may have high levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. It’s best to avoid preparing these foods for your baby. Healthier alternatives include:
Bananas Apples Grapes Hard-boiled eggs Yogurt Peaches Barley with diced vegetables Quinoa Whole or pureed fruits
Sweet potatoes and carrots can also have high levels of lead and cadmium. But they are important sources of vitamin A and other nutrients. You’ll still need to include these foods in your child’s diet, but make sure they aren’t taken in excess. (3) REFERENCES (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/ (2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/ (3) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf (4) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf (5) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-issues-allergy-alert-clarify-egg-labeling-cheese-ravioli-pasta-pick-upsr (6) http://news.gerber.com/news/gerber-is-voluntarily-recalling-two-batches-of-gerberR-organic-2nd-foodsR-pouches (7) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements (8) https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/06/09/beech-nut-baby-food-recall-2021-rice-cereal-arsenic/7621243002/
