We know that toxic metals are making into our food. Here is what you what we know, what we can do about it, and where to go for more in-depth information.

What Are Heavy Metals? 

When referring to harmful heavy metals in the context of food, we are talking about arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. 

What causes food contamination? 

Levels of heavy metals in food vary depending on the amount in the air, soil, and water used to grow crops. This can vary greatly depending on the agricultural and industrial process involved in creating or producing the food consumed. Different types of crops also update different amounts from their environment. 

What are we concerned about?

In high amounts, heavy metal exposure can harm brain development. Additionally, there have been links between exposure to heavy metals and learning and behavioral problems. 

Arsenic: Studies have indicated that early childhood (both during pregnancy and early few years of life) exposure to arsenic leads to loss of IQ. These effects are persistent even after addressing the exposure. 

Lead: Historically, lead exposure for children came from old forms of paint found in older homes (before 1978), pottery, and children’s toys. Lead exposure in children leads to poorer cognitive outcomes, lower academic achievement, attention deficits, and behavioral issues. All children are tested for lead exposure accordingly. 

If you are concerned about lead exposure in your home, you may have your home inspected by a licensed lead inspector or use a test kit (which is available at hardware stores).

Cadmium: Although it is not as well recognized as lead, cadmium is very harmful. Of great concern is that cadmium is harmful in even low quantities. It has been linked to neurotoxicity and cancer. Cadmium exposure has also been shown to have been associated with kidney and bone injury. Studies have suggested that exposures during pregnancy impact neurodevelopment, including language development. Children with cadmium exposure have been shown to have an increased risk of learning disabilities and the need for special education.  The FDA has found the highest levels in potato chips, spinach, and sunflower seeds. 

Mercury: Seafood is the dominant source of exposure. Exposure during pregnancy has been shown to lead to impaired vision and memory and cognitive abilities. 

It should be noted that IQ and brain development are the results of many factors including, nutrition, genetics, social environment as well as environmental exposures. 

We are concerned particularly about young children’s exposure because they are particularly vulnerable. The increase in vulnerability is due to the rapid growth of their brain and their relatively small body size. usually at 1 year. 

What can you do about it? 

The HBBH 2019 study noted that rice cakes and crisped rice cereal were heavily contaminated with arsenic. While infant cereals can be an excellent way to introduce complementary foods, there are other iron-fortified options for parents, like oat-based cereals. Try to avoid the use of rice milk. 

1. Vary: the band and store.

The HBBH 2019 also noted high arsenic, lead, and cadmium levels in some fresh carrots and sweet potatoes. It would be best if you continued to feed babies fruits and vegetables; they contain crucial nutrients. These moderately contaminated foods are an important part of our and baby’s diet, so what can you do to mitigate some risk? Try switching up where you purchase fresh produce to reduce the risk of accidentally serving a high-metal source. Also, you want to wash all fruits and vegetables, and peel what you can peel. Rinse all grains before cooking.

If cooking rice, it may help to drain the water excess water after cooking the rice. Additionally, it may be beneficial to rinse rice before cooking. Brown and black rice have the highest levels of arsenic, whereas white basmati and sushi rice may have the lowest. 

2. Check your water: you can contact your local health department to have your water tested or independent contractors 

3. Skip the fruit juice: Fruit juices can contain concerning levels of heavy metals. For less than six months, go with breastmilk or formal. For one year and up, milk and water.

4. Boost your other nutrients: Think about serving iron-rich foods (note: if you are thinking spinach here, opt for baby spinach as it has less heavy metal contamination). Also, add in foods with calcium, vitamin C and zinc, which can help the body reduce toxic metal absorption. Foods to think of here are lean red meat, lentils, beans, cheese, yogurt, peppers, kiwi, strawberry, and leafy greens. 

5. If possible, breastfeed: Breastfeeding can reduce exposure to toxic metals. 

6. Choose your fish wisely: Larger fish tend to have higher levels of mercury—for example, sharks, swordfish, and tuna. Fish remain a great source of protein and fat so try other options like code, pollock, and salmon. 

7. Variety is key: For both homemade and store-bought. variety lowers the risk of exposure and also provides the most array of nutrients. 

What were the 10 most contaminated? 

According to the HBBH 2019 study, they were:

1. Rice cakes 
2. Crisped rice cereal 
3. Rice-based puffs
4. Brown rice
5. Rice-based teething biscuits and rusks 
6. White rice
7. Raisins (notably are also a choking hazard) 
8. Teething crackers (non-rice based) 
9. Granola bars with raisins 
10. Oat-ring cereal 

What about the 10 least contaminated? 

According to the HBBH 2019 study, they were:

1. Bananas 
2. Grits
3. Baby food brand meats 
4. Butternut squash 
5. Lamb 
6. Apples 
7. Pork 
8. Eggs 
9. Organics 
10. Watermelon 

Is Homemade Better?

Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBH) released a study in 2019 that demonstrated 94% of homemade and store-bought baby food. This suggests homemade food is not less contaminated than store-brand food. 

Want to know how your baby food stacks up? 

Take a look at appendix A for HBBH 2019 study results for their extensive brad food test results: https://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2022-08/StoreVsHomemade_2022.pdf

Consumer reports also published an article with responses from the top baby food companies regarding toxic metal exposure (https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/problems-with-heavy-metals-in-baby-food-congressional-report-a6400080224/). You can also find a sign-up to be noticed regarding re-calls on the consumer report website link above.

What are we doing?

No one should have to worry if the food they purchase is a grocery store is harmful to their child or not. Food should have clear labels regarding its ingredients and be regulated for safety. Thus, in 2021 the FDA announced its Closer to Zero action plan to reduce babies’ and young children’s exposure to heavy metals. Thus far, they have new limits for fruit juice, but have additional you can review their action plan here. Additional plans include evaluating congress’s recommendation to add heavy metals to food labels. 

Parents can reach out to their local and regional government representatives and/or participate in petitions like the one below from Consumer Reports to protect babies from arsenic exposure:

https://action.consumerreports.org/20211020_safety

A note on other environmental exposures:
One of the most well-documented heavy metal exposure risks for children is smoking/vaping. Smoking (second or thirdhand) exposes children to cadmium and lead. 

Concerned about potential exposure?

If you are concerned about your child being exposed to heavy metals, talk to your child’s healthcare provider. You can also find expert advice by reaching out to your regional Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit (PEHSU) at https://www.pehsu.net. 

I hope this is a helpful resource for all the families. Bee Kind Pediatrics is always here to support our community, families, and patients. Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns. 

As always, Bee Kind, Bee Happy, and Bee healthy <3

References: 

1. Jenco, Melissa. “AAP: Babies Should Eat a Varied Diet to Protect against Heavy Metals in Commercial, Homemade Food.” AAP News, 2022, https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/21916/AAP-Babies-should-eat-a-varied-diet-to-protect?searchresult=1?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000. Accessed 30 Aug. 2022. 
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