A recent finding has alarmed many parents, upon the discovery of “worrisome” levels of lead and arsenic found in baby foods. A new survey and analysis was conducted, and the findings were that two-thirds of the tested products contained alarming levels of these chemicals that are detrimental to human health.

Consumer Reports recently found that their test of over 50 nationally distributed baby foods revealed 68% that had at least one heavy metal. They checked for cadmium, lead, mercury, and inorganic arsenic, the worst offender and the one most harmful to our health. These findings by Consumer Reports could pose a potential health risk if eaten daily. Exposure at such an early age, in addition, would increase the risk of health problems associated with exposure to heavy metals. These could include IQ and problems with behavior, and have even been linked to autism and ADHD, according to Consumer Reports.

The products most likely to contain high levels of heavy metals? Those containing rice and sweet potatoes. Another alarming fact revealed by this study is that the products on shelves labeled organic, do not necessarily contain less harmful levels of these heavy metals. The study could not say if preparing these foods at home would contain less of the metals, as they are still entering the food chain after being harvested from soil and water sources. However, rice is known to contain higher levels of arsenic, a harmful heavy metal. While these heavy metals can pose a threat to anyone, even in small amounts, they are especially harmful to younger populations.

The following listed are foods that the Consumer Reports Study recommends only serving one or less per day: 

• Earth’s Best Organic Chicken & Brown Rice
• Earth’s Best Turkey, Red Beans & Brown Rice
• Gerber Chicken & Rice
• Gerber Turkey & Rice
• Sprout Organic Baby Food Garden Vegetables Brown Rice With Turkey
• Gerber Lil’ Meals White Turkey Stew With Rice & Vegetables
• Gerber Carrot, Pear & Blackberry
• Beech-Nut Classics Sweet Potatoes
• Happy Baby Organics Organic Probiotic Baby Cereal
• Baby Mum-Mum Banana Rice Rusks

Now that this study has been disseminated, parents are cautioned to be aware of the foods not recommended to be served frequently to infants of small children. Keeping children safe, as parents seem to be discovering, even includes screening and researching the foods that we feed them.