Food Safety
search
Ask Food Safety AI
cart
facebook twitter linkedin instagram youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • NEWSLETTERS >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
    • ASK FSM AI
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination Control

New Congressional Report Shows High Levels of Arsenic, Other Poisons in Baby Food

baby food cans
February 8, 2021

In a congressional report released February 4, entitled "Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury," it was revealed that some baby food contains very dangerous levels of arsenic and other poisons. 

The report was submitted by the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Committee on Oversight and Reform U.S. House of Representatives, and is 59 pages long. 

The subcommittee is concerned that the companies might not be forthcoming and that there might be even higher levels of toxic heavy metals in their baby food products, versus the products of their competitors.

The report was requested in November 2019 and looked at four toxic heavy metals: inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization have declared these metals dangerous to humans, especially to babies and children, who are the most vulnerable population. According to the report, even low levels of these metals can cause irreparable damage to brain development.

The internal documents and test results were originally requested on November 6, 2019, from the following manufacturers:

  • Beech-Nut Nutrition Co.
  • Hain Celestial Group Inc. (Earth's Best Organic brand)
  • Gerber
  • Walmart Inc. (Parent's Choice brand) 
  • Sprout Foods Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods brand)
  • Campbell Soup Co. (Plum Organics brand)
  • Nurture Inc. (HappyBABY brand)

Click here to view the full report. 

Looking for quick answers on food safety topics?
Try Ask FSM, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask FSM →

KEYWORDS: arsenic baby food

Share This Story

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Meat/Poultry
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Facilities
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Management
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to Newsletters
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • This image depicts a healthcare professional managing a large volume of paperwork and transitioning to a digital workflow.
    Sponsored bySafetyChain

    The Invisible Plant Tax Starts with Your Records

  • Salmon on rice cracker
    Sponsored byThermoFisher

    Food Microbiology Testing Methods: Listeria species

  • The image displays a person selecting packaged fresh chicken meat from a supermarket display cooler.
    Sponsored byCorbion

    Developing a Future-Proof Food Safety Strategy for Meat and Poultry Products

Popular Stories

chocolate hazelnut spread on toast

40 Sick, One Dead in German Salmonella Outbreak Involving Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread

cheddar cheese wedge on a fork

FDA Finds E. coli in Raw Farm Cheese Matching a Second Outbreak

cotton swab going into tube

Study Shows Poor Recovery of Listeria Using Cotton Swabs for Environmental Monitoring


Events

May 6, 2026

Allergen Uncertainty: Risk Assessment, Reference Doses, and Codex Management Guidance

Live: May 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT: Attendees will gain insight into the importance of preparing for the industry's shift from detection-based methods to risk-based allergen management.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

May 12, 2026

Leveraging AI for Food Safety: From Strategy to Impact

Live Streaming from Food Safety Summit: This dynamic workshop brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to demonstrate how AI can be practically applied in food safety—from data strategy to daily execution.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Plate of rice on a cutting board

    Report: High Levels of Arsenic and Cadmium in Store-Bought Rice Pose Health Threats to Infants

    See More
  • Study: High Levels of Arsenic in American Wines

    See More
  • fish harvest at market

    FAO/WHO Report Shows Lower Levels of Contaminants in Farmed Seafood Than Wild-Caught

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1118396308.jpg

    High Throughput Analysis for Food Safety

  • 9781498721776.jpg

    Handbook of Food Processing: Food Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing Processes

  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Food Safety News

    Food Safety News advances public health by delivering timely, accurate, and comprehensive coverage of foodborne illness outbreaks, recalls, and regulatory developments that impact the safety of our global food supply.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing