EU warns of toxic metal in baby food
Small amounts of arsenic, lead and cadmium have been found in baby foods from some of the world's leading brands. Manufacturers insist the amounts are too small to cause harm, but scientists say new standards are needed.
Arsenic, lead and cadmium are all found in baby foods.
Leading brands such as Organix, Hipp, Nestle and Holle were tested by Swedish researchers. The team measured the amount of toxins in micrograms (millionths of a gram) and the results showed that the levels in baby food were higher than in breast milk.
Specifically, Organix First Organic Whole Grain Baby Rice (Boots) contains 2 micrograms of arsenic per serving, along with 0.03 micrograms of cadmium and 0.09 micrograms of lead.
The Hipp Peach & Banana breakfast contains 1.7 micrograms of arsenic, 0.13 micrograms of cadmium and 0.33 micrograms of lead.
Holle Organic Rice Porridge instant porridge contains 7.3 micrograms of arsenic per serving (the highest level found in tested samples), 0.38 micrograms of cadmium and 0.26 micrograms of lead.
Dr Karin Ljung, head of the Swedish research team, confirmed that none of the products exceeded the safe limits. However, she said the levels needed to be reviewed to ensure children's development was best protected.
For their part, the companies whose products have been tested have insisted that their products are safe. Hipp said the levels of arsenic and cadmium in its Peach and Banana breakfast porridge were below official limits. Organix said: "Organix conducts rigorous testing of finished food products. To ensure regular monitoring of food safety, we regularly test raw materials and finished products for indicators such as allergens, microorganisms and pesticide residues. The results must be in line with current UK food standards." Nestle said the ingredients had been carefully selected to ensure the lowest possible soil absorption.
Scientists propose new standards for toxic substances in baby food.
Call for new standards
“This is alarming! These foods also contain large amounts of toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and uranium. These come mainly from the raw materials. These substances should be kept to a minimum in baby foods, especially those intended for infants. The high concentrations of arsenic in foods made mainly from rice are of particular concern,” say scientists from the Department of Metals and Health at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, writing in the Journal of Food Chemistry.
Two years ago, the UK Food Standards Agency issued an official warning that children should stop drinking rice milk due to arsenic contamination, while the British Dietetic Association said careful selection and control of ingredients and baby food would help ensure safe nutrition.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is considering setting new standards for arsenic in food, especially food for infants and children under 3 years of age.
Professor Andrew Meharg, a biochemist at the University of Aberdeen, is particularly concerned about the presence of arsenic in rice used to make baby food. He advises companies producing rice-based baby food to source rice from areas with the lowest possible levels of inorganic arsenic.
According to Dan Tri
