Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to safeguard babies and young children across the nation from lead and other toxic metals in baby food. The call for action comes in response to nearly 400 recent lead poisoning cases linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches, underscoring the urgent need for stricter protections.
"We must have clear standards to protect babies and children from ingesting toxic heavy metals in their food," Attorney General Kaul emphasized. "Metals such as lead pose a threat tied to numerous adverse health effects. Inaction by the FDA is unacceptable."
The coalition's letter to the FDA urges the agency to address their previous petitions, emphasizing the necessity for specific guidance to the baby food industry requiring testing of all finished food products for lead and other toxic metals. The recent cases of childhood lead poisoning associated with the recalled applesauce pouches highlight the risks posed by insufficient testing and regulation in the baby food sector.
The delay in FDA action on setting comprehensive standards for toxic metals in baby food is not only a public health concern but also an issue of environmental justice. Children from low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by lead exposure, with lead in food further compounding the inequitable hazards these children face.
The coalition's efforts build on previous petitions and letters to the FDA, urging the agency to provide clear industry guidance on testing for lead and other toxic metals in baby and toddler food products. The letter reinforces the urgent need for FDA intervention to protect families from the dangers posed by toxic metals in baby food.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised not to feed them to children or anyone else. Instead, the products should be safely discarded to prevent unintended consumption. For more information on the recalled products, consumers are encouraged to consult the FDA.
The joint effort led by Attorney General Kaul includes the attorneys general of various states, demonstrating a united front in advocating for enhanced safety measures to protect the most vulnerable consumers.