FDA Issues Voluntary Guidelines to Limit Lead in Baby Foods

The new measures aim to reduce lead exposure in processed baby foods by up to 30%, but critics say they fall short of protecting children's health.

The FDA has set voluntary lead limits for processed baby foods, including jarred fruits, vegetables, yogurts, and dry cereals, with maximum levels of 10 to 20 parts per billion depending on the food type.
The agency estimates the guidelines could reduce lead exposure from these foods by 20% to 30%, though they are not enforceable unless products exceed legal limits.
Consumer advocates argue the guidelines are insufficient, as they exclude grain-based snacks like teething biscuits and puffs, which have been shown to contain higher lead levels, and do not address other harmful metals like cadmium.
The announcement follows a lead contamination crisis in 2023–2024, during which over 560 children were sickened by lead-tainted apple cinnamon puree with levels 2,000 times above the FDA's proposed limits.
Experts emphasize that no level of lead exposure is safe, particularly for young children, as even small amounts can cause irreversible developmental and neurological damage.