BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown joined 19 other attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take urgent action to protect babies and young children nationwide from lead and other toxic metals in baby food.
In a letter sent last week, the AGs urged the FDA to act on a pending request, originally filed in 2021, that the FDA issue specific guidance to the baby food industry to require testing of all finished food products for lead and other toxic metals.
The letter cites recent findings of hundreds of childhood lead poisonings linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches that were sold throughout the country without first being tested for toxic metals. Cases were found in Maryland and Virginia.
RELATED: FDA: 'Extremely high' lead levels found in cinnamon at plant that made tainted fruit pouches
The attorneys general say the agency concluded years ago that babies and young children were more vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic metals, but say more protection is needed. Under current FDA policy, baby food manufacturers can decide whether or not to even test their finished products for toxic metals and other contaminants.
“Parents trust companies to provide safe and healthy products for their children. We can't leave it to companies to test for contaminants that harm our kids,” Brown said in a statement. “I urge the FDA to protect children and require baby and toddler food manufacturers to test their products before sending them to market.”
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