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Release date 08/16/2018
YONKERS, NY – Consumer Reports (CR) today released exclusive test results of heavy metals in widely-available packaged baby and toddler foods. The research and testing focused on arsenic, cadmium, and lead, which can be harmful to the health and development of young children.
The presence of dangerous metals in the vast majority of packaged children’s food we tested is a problem that parents, regulators, and manufacturers all need to contend with.
Nine out of ten parents with kids under the age of three feed their children packaged food at least occasionally, according to a recent CR survey. That’s why CR’s food safety team analyzed 50 packaged foods from nine brands, including baby cereals, packaged fruits and vegetables, entrées, and snacks, such as cookies, crackers, and puffs.
Sixty-eight percent of the tested products had worrisome levels of at least one heavy metal, and organic foods that CR tested were just as likely to contain heavy metals as non-organic.
“The presence of dangerous metals in the vast majority of packaged children’s food we tested is a problem that parents, regulators, and manufacturers all need to contend with,” said Marta L. Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports. “This information will equip families to make safer choices, and our hope is that it will also spur regulatory agencies and companies to do better by our children.”
This information will equip families to make safer choices, and our hope is that it will also spur regulatory agencies and companies to do better by our children.
Consumer Reports has a long history in prompting change in the food industry and remains vigilant in the marketplace. Earlier this year, we lead the call for consumers to avoid romaine lettuce after it was tied to two deadly E. coli outbreaks, and pressed the government to do more to protect us in the future. In addition, CR has played a leading role in getting more than half of the largest fast food chains in the U.S. to commit to policies to restrict the use of antibiotics in the production of the chicken they serve.
For more information on the heavy metals investigation, visit CR.org/heavymetals.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2018 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2018 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.