According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, two well-known brands of snacks for children were found to have high levels of lead, despite the fact that federal guidelines have not yet been established for heavy metal levels in a large number of baby foods.
Currently, the FDA has established limits for heavy metal levels in infant rice cereal and juice. Nevertheless, the agency is striving to establish regulations for other types of baby food.
Tamara Rubin, the owner of Lead Safe Mama, recently shared a story on her website revealing that products from LesserEvil and Serenity Kids were found to contain lead.
Rubin’s company aims to prevent lead poisoning and educate parents about the sources of lead exposure. One of her notable contributions is raising awareness about the Stanley tumblers that were discovered to contain lead.
Consumer Reports conducted tests on cassava-based snacks, including Serenity Kids puffs, and found that they contained high levels of lead. Rubin’s findings prompted the testing of four cassava products from LesserEvil and Serenity Kids, as well as two products from Once Upon a Farm that contained sorghum.
According to Consumer Reports, LesserEvil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend puffs have been found to contain higher levels of lead per serving than any other baby food tested by the organization since 2017.
The lead content in question was discovered to be surpassing the maximum allowable dose levels (MADLs) set by California Proposition 65, with a measurement of 112%.
In addition, it was discovered by Consumer Reports that the Sweet Potato Apple Asteroid and Tomato & Herb, Bone Broth puffs produced by LesserEvil and Serenity Kids respectively, had elevated levels of lead.
Hy-Vee is recalling several products due to the risk of salmonella contamination. The company has taken this step as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of its customers. The affected items include Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad, Hy-Vee Potato Salad, and Hy-Vee Coleslaw. Customers who have purchased any of these items are advised to discard them or return them to the store for a full refund. Hy-Vee is committed to providing high-quality products and takes the safety and well-being of its customers seriously. The company is working closely with the FDA and CDC to investigate the source of the contamination. Hy-Vee urges its customers to take this recall seriously and to keep themselves and their families safe.
According to a report by Consumer Reports, the correct serving size for children consuming snack puffs has been revealed.
Rogers suggested that children should consume no more than 1 ½ servings of puffs per day, based on the recommended levels.
Consumers should be aware that the serving sizes of the puffs are smaller than they might think, cautioned Rogers. As per Consumer Reports, Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend only constitutes a single serving of 17 puffs, whereas Serenity Kids puffs come in a 1 ½ ounce container with six servings.
According to Consumer Reports, the Once Upon a Farm products that were tested had incredibly low levels of lead. In fact, they found that these levels were among the lowest they’ve ever seen in baby food.
ALDI has issued a recall of cream cheese due to potential salmonella contamination. Customers who have purchased the affected product are urged to not consume it and to return it to the store for a full refund. The recall covers the Happy Farms brand of cream cheese, which was sold in 8-ounce packages with a sell-by date of May 20, 2021, and a UPC code of 4099100000075. ALDI has stated that no illnesses have been reported in connection to the product, but the recall is being done as a precautionary measure. Customers with questions or concerns can contact ALDI customer service.
After conducting tests on various children’s snacks, Consumer Reports discovered that certain products contained high levels of lead, according to their website.
According to Jennie Shen, the director of brand marketing for Serenity Kids, their puffs have always been safe to consume.
As the cost of oranges continues to rise, orange juice makers are exploring the possibility of using alternative fruits in their production. The increasing prices are driven by a combination of factors, including weather conditions and disease affecting orange crops. Some companies are considering using mandarins, tangerines, and other citrus fruits as substitutes for oranges. However, there are concerns about maintaining the same level of quality and taste that consumers expect from orange juice. Despite these challenges, juice makers are actively seeking solutions to mitigate the impact of rising orange prices on their businesses.
The image displayed above showcases cassava root and freshly made cassava flour. The photograph was captured by Wayne Hutchinson and is a part of the Farm Images collection by Universal Images Group.
Shen confidently stated that their products undergo testing to ensure that they contain levels of heavy metals that are well below what is permitted by California Proposition 65. The company has always been proactive in addressing any concerns related to lead and other heavy metals in their products. Shen believes that their products are a healthier alternative to what is currently available in the market.
According to Shen, just like Consumer Reports, the FDA also lacks standards and criteria when it comes to regulating heavy metals in all categories of baby food. The agency merely offers preliminary guidance on the subject.
Serenity Kids didn’t have the luxury of relying on existing standards, so they established their own. They ensure that all their products meet the strict exposure thresholds for heavy metals set by California Prop 65, which are among the most stringent levels in the United States.
Shen reassured that their puffs are entirely safe for consumption and comply with relevant regulations, like Prop 65 for heavy metals, in the United States. He emphasized that this is based on the recommended serving size, giving customers peace of mind when enjoying their snacks.
According to her, heavy metals such as lead can be commonly found in the food industry.
According to Consumer Reports, the Serenity Kids puffs consist of cassava, which has been found to have high levels of lead through tests. Additionally, other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets also contain increased levels of lead.
According to Angelia Seyfferth, a Ph.D. from the department of plant and soil sciences at the University of Delaware, lead can be present in soil due to natural causes or pollution. She explained that the roots of a plant can accumulate lead, but it does not spread beyond the root system. Consumer Reports shared this insight.
When cassava is processed into flour and baked into snack foods, it can lead to higher levels of concentration of lead.
According to Shen, Serenity Kids products are made with whole food ingredients and undergo rigorous quality control measures and testing protocols. The company tests all of their products and collaborates with suppliers who use remediation methods to source foods with the lowest possible levels of contaminants, which are then given priority for use in their baby food products.
Shen emphasized the importance of using the cleanest ingredients and how they carefully vet all suppliers to ensure that their foods are safe. According to Shen, they have always been proactive in addressing lead and heavy metals because they strongly believe in the safety of their products and ingredients. Furthermore, Shen stated that their products are healthier compared to the alternatives that are currently available in the market.
