Two Democratic senators have introduced new legislation to limit levels of harmful metals in commercial baby food, they announced Thursday.
The bill, called the “Baby Food Safety Act of 2024,” would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to impose higher safety standards for commercial baby foods and imported products.
It also raises safety standards and requires more thorough testing by manufacturers for toxic heavy metals – including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury – allowed in baby foods.
“All parents deserve to have confidence that the baby and toddler food they feed their children is safe and nutritious, but reports that many commonly sold products may contain harmful substances such as lead that pose risks to our babies are deeply worrying,” said Senator Tammy. Duckworth (D-Ill.), who introduced the legislation with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
“Parents want what’s best for their children and deserve peace of mind knowing that the foods they buy for their babies and young children are safe,” said Klobuchar.
The legislation follows a series of efforts to call on the FDA to address reports showing elevated levels of heavy metals in baby foods.
Three years ago, the Democratic duo introduced a similar bill in response to a report from the House Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy that showed “some baby foods are contaminated with dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium ”. The bill focused on “holding manufacturers accountable” for reducing heavy metals in baby food.
Several times over the years, lawmakers have asked the FDA to do more to address high levels of heavy metals. They wrote to the FDA after a documented report “high levels of inorganic neurotoxin arsenic in 3 popular rice cereal baby foods” and also after hundreds of children showed “extremely high blood lead levels” that led to the recall of some pouches of applesauce and cinnamon.
The legislation was introduced in conjunction with a House bill led by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.).
“As a parent, I understand the immense responsibility we have to protect our children,” Cárdenas said. “That’s why I’m proud to join this common-sense, bicameral effort that will lead to more complete oversight and demand accountability from baby food manufacturers. All American parents deserve the peace of mind of knowing that the baby food they provide is safe and free of harmful substances that could affect their children’s long-term health.”
The Hill has reached out to the FDA for comment.
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