FDA Sets Limits on Lead in Certain Baby FoodsFDA Sets Limits on Lead in Certain Baby Foods

This includes baby foods like jarred fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and dry cereal, which is part of an effort to cut young children's exposure to the toxic metal.

Kristen Kazarian, Managing Editor

January 13, 2025

1 Min Read
This is part of the agency's Closer to Zero initiative.
This is part of the agency's Closer to Zero initiative, a science-based approach to decreasing toxic elements in foods over time, including by setting action levels.Ivanko_Brnjakovic/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

The US Food & Drug Administration has set a limit on the amount of lead allowed in certain baby foods, like jarred fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and dry cereal, part of an effort to cut young kids’ exposure to the toxic metal that causes developmental and neurological problems.

The agency issued final guidance that it estimated could reduce lead exposure from processed baby foods by 20% to 30%. The limits are voluntary, not mandatory, for food manufacturers, but they allow the FDA to take enforcement action if foods exceed the levels.

The FDA guidance caps lead levels for children younger than 2 years of age at 10 parts per billion for fruits, most vegetables; grain and meat mixtures; yogurts, custards, and puddings; and single-ingredient meats. It sets a limit of 20 parts per billion for single-ingredient root vegetables and for dry infant cereals.

It’s part of the FDA’s ongoing effort to “reduce dietary exposure to contaminants, including lead, in foods to as low as possible over time, while maintaining access to nutritious foods,” the agency said in a statement. Its Closer to Zero initiative is a science-based, iterative approach to decreasing toxic elements, including lead, in foods over time, including by setting action levels.

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“FDA’s actions today are a step forward and will help protect children,” said Thomas Galligan, a scientist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest in an AP News article. “However, the agency took too long to act and ignored important public input that could have strengthened these standards.”

As well, FDA’s guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, a guidance describes FDA’s current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited.

About the Author

Kristen Kazarian

Managing Editor

Kristen Kazarian has been a writer and editor for more than three decades. She has worked at several consumer magazines and B2B publications in the fields of food and beverage, packaging, processing, women's interest, local news, health and nutrition, fashion and beauty, automotive, and IT.

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