(Newser)
– A report by the House Oversight Committee says that alarming levels of toxic heavy metals – including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury – have been found in major baby food products. Heavy metals can endanger children’s neurological development. The chairman of the subcommittee expressed frustration with federal regulators, Washington Post reports. “Over the past decade, advocates and scientists have brought this to the attention of the Food and Drug Administration,” said Democratic MP Raja Krishnamoorthi. “The FDA should set standards and regulate this industry much more closely, starting now.” The agency said it is examining the panel’s findings. The panel asked seven labels to provide the results of their internal tests. Gerber, Beech-Nut, HappyBABY and Earth’s Best Organic Baby foods yes; Baby food Plum Organics, Walmart’s Parent’s Choice and Sprout Foods, no.
Since heavy metals occur naturally, there is no need for panic, a Consumer reports expert said. “You want to minimize the risk,” he said, according to CBS. “You can’t eliminate it entirely, but you can minimize it.” He suggests that parents eat a varied diet for their children, avoiding snacks with a high content of heavy metals, such as cookies and crackers. Rice and sweet potato products absorb pollutants more easily, he said. A US agency classifies arsenic as the most dangerous natural substance, with lead # 2. “Exposure to these toxic heavy metals affects babies’ brain and nervous system development,” said a Defense Fund expert. Environmental. “It affects their behavior, permanently decreases their IQ and, if you want to reduce it to dollars, their lifetime earning potential.” The committee posted its report here. (There is a way to cook rice that reduces arsenic in it, say the researchers.)