Testing Finds Widespread Microplastics, Lower Heavy Metals in Baby Foods
Consumer Reports (CR) has tested 48 packaged baby foods from 11 brands for heavy metals and other contaminants, finding that 96 percent contained heavy metals below CR’s levels of concern. However, phthalates were detected in most products tested, and microplastics were found in all 15 purees analyzed for plastic particles.
Testing Methodology
Using secret shoppers, CR purchased two to four lots of each product, including cereals, purees, snacks, entrées, and juice, and submitted samples to an accredited third-party laboratory.
All 48 products were analyzed for total arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, three bisphenols, and 13 common phthalates. Samples with detectable total arsenic underwent additional testing to distinguish inorganic from organic arsenic species. A subset of 32 products was tested for 30 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” while 15 purees and one juice were tested for microplastic quantity and particle size.
CR established contaminant “levels of concern” by estimating exposure for a child under 2 from one labeled serving and comparing it with health-protective limits from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. CR emphasized that its methodology was intended to compare contaminant exposure, not determine regulatory compliance. No level of concern was established for microplastics because regulatory agencies have not set standards.
Key Findings
Although 96 percent of products had heavy metals below CR’s levels of concern, inorganic arsenic was detected in 77 percent, cadmium in 80 percent, and lead in 85 percent of samples. Conversely, mercury was detected in just 4 percent of samples. Gerber Rice Cereal averaged 63 parts per billion (ppb) inorganic arsenic, exceeding CR’s level of concern but remaining below FDA’s 100-ppb action level for infant rice cereal. A Good and Gather fruit purees also exceeded CR’s inorganic arsenic threshold.
At least one phthalate was detected in 39 of 48 products. PFAS levels did not exceed CR’s levels of concern. Of the 16 products tested for microplastics, particles were detected in all 15 purees tested, including products packaged in both plastic and glass. Particle sizes ranged from 15–500 micrometers.
Regulatory Context
FDA launched its Closer to Zero initiative in 2021 to reduce lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in foods for babies and young children. FDA has established action levels for lead in certain baby foods and inorganic arsenic in apple juice and infant rice cereal, while additional guidance for cadmium and inorganic arsenic is under development. FDA has not established regulatory limits for microplastics in food.
Meanwhile, California, Maryland, Virginia, and Illinois have enacted requirements related to heavy metal testing or transparency for baby foods.
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