Consumer advocacy group finds dangerous levels of lead in some snacks for small children

A new study by Consumer Reports has found alarming levels of lead in some vegetable puffs marketed to small children.

The consumer advocacy group tested two puffs: cassava made by Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids and sorghum puffs from Once Upon a Farm.

According to a report released today, the lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend contained more lead than all 80 baby foods that Consumer Reports has tested since 2017. The containers hold 1.5 ounces; the label states that each has six servings.

According to Consumer Reports’ research, Once Upon a Farm’s sorghum products had very low lead levels, with some of the lowest levels of any baby food the organization has ever tested.

“Some manufacturers must do their best to keep heavy metals out of their snacks, and there may be specific concerns about foods made with cassava,” said James Rogers, head of food safety testing at Consumer Reports.

Rogers also said there should be concerns about how the Food and Drug Administration is handling baby food recommendations. The agency recently proposed limits for lead and other heavy metals in some baby foods, but snack foods were left out of the picture.

“The agency should take a close look at the snacks parents give their children and ensure they are not ingesting dangerous levels of lead and other contaminants,” Rogers said.

Certain foods are more likely to contain dangerous lead levels than others. For example, cassava and other root vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots and beets, can be troublesome because lead occurs naturally in soil and can build up in a plant’s roots, says Angelia Seyfferth of the University of Delaware’s Department of Plants and Sciences . .

Processing cassava into flour for crackers, chips or other snacks can also concentrate lead better than eating fresh vegetables.

Consumer Reports was notified by Tamara Rubin, owner of Lead Safe Mama, of concerns about lead in cassava. She focuses on preventing lead poisoning and helping parents identify possible sources of lead exposure.

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