In the baby food of popular brands found toxic substances
'31.10.2017'
Source: USA Today
An alarming study, the results of which were published recently in the US, argues that many popular baby food products tested positive for arsenic. Including, about 80% of infant formula contains this dangerous substance, writes USA Today.
Project Clean label, a nonprofit organization that advocates transparent labeling, tested baby food, formula, baby drinks, and baby snacks purchased during 5 months. After testing about 530 baby food products, researchers found that 65% of them contain arsenic, 36% lead, 58% cadmium and 10% acrylamide. All of these chemicals pose a potential risk to the health and development of babies.
Leading brands, including Gerber, Enfamil, Plum Organics and Sprout, demonstrated the highest content of toxic substances. In addition, in 60% of products claiming that they "do not have bisphenol-A", this substance was discovered. In some products, arsenic is found in the proportion of 600 parts per billion - it is much more than just traces. Arsenic is associated with developmental defects, cardiovascular diseases, neurotoxicity, diabetes and even cancer.
Lead, also found in food products tested by the Clean Label project, has been previously found in baby food. 20% of 2164 baby food samples showed lead content, even a small amount of which can be dangerous, but not regulated at all.
“It is important for consumers to understand that some contaminants, such as heavy metals, lead or arsenic, are in the environment and cannot simply be removed from food,” said Peter Cassell, an FDA official. The authors of the project Clean label Convinced that the US food industry should take better care of children's health.
