PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to act swiftly in protecting babies and young children from dangerous exposure to toxic heavy metals—particularly lead—in commercial baby food products.
In a renewed push, Mayes is urging the FDA to reconsider a formal petition submitted by 20 state attorneys general more than three years ago. The petition requested the agency implement federal guidance requiring finished product testing by baby food manufacturers to reduce the risk of contamination and prevent product recalls. That petition has yet to be acted upon by the agency.
The issue has resurfaced with growing urgency after recent nationwide baby food recalls—including a March 2025 recall of Target’s “Good & Gather” vegetable puree due to high lead levels—and a November 2024 FDA warning to Wanabana USA LLC following a mass cinnamon applesauce lead poisoning outbreak in 2023.
Attorney General Mayes emphasized the vulnerability of infants to neurotoxic substances like lead. Peer-reviewed research has shown that even minimal exposure to heavy metals during early childhood can have severe long-term effects. These include reduced IQ, behavioral problems, and diminished economic potential later in life.
The coalition of state attorneys general is urging the FDA to issue clear guidance for finished product testing across the baby food industry. Advocates say this would ensure manufacturers identify and remove harmful substances before products reach store shelves and families’ homes.
The FDA currently does not require routine final product testing for heavy metals, relying instead on supplier standards and voluntary compliance from companies.
Mayes argues that proactive regulation is not only overdue but essential to protect public health: had the FDA responded to the initial petition in a timely manner, the recent lead-related incidents might have been avoided.
Joining Mayes in the most recent outreach to federal officials is District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The original and renewed petitions are supported by attorneys general from the following states: New York, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The coalition continues to push for immediate action, warning that any further delay could risk additional contamination incidents and ongoing public health threats to America’s youngest and most vulnerable population.
