Lead in Kids’ Foods and Beverages
For years health advocates have warned the public about the evils of lead, particularly for young children. High levels of the mineral have been linked to a wide range of physical ailments and, more recently, to an alarming number of learning difficulties. But conventional wisdom suggested that with vigilance we could protect our children from the harmful effects, primarily by keeping them away from toys, furniture and other products that contained lead-based paint.
Now, however, a new source of lead contamination has been uncovered, one potentially more difficult for parents to monitor. Last month, the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) filed notice alleging that lead levels exceeding .5 micrograms were found in a variety of children’s foods and baby foods. The products included a number of popular juices and packaged fruit products. A complete list of the products tested, and whether or not they exceeded the standard, is available at the ELF website at www.envirolaw.org
The notices filed by ELF claim that the foods contain enough lead in a single serving that they require a warning under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). Toxicologist Barbara G. Callahan, PhD, DABT, termed the findings “alarming.” As Dr. Callahan explained, “Lead exposure among children is a particular concern because their developing bodies absorb lead at a higher rate and because children are particularly sensitive to lead’s toxic effects, including decreased I.Q.”
What Happens Next?
Notification has been sent to appropriate law enforcement officials, and to the affected manufacturers, retailers and distributors, alerting them that these products require a warning label. If, within 60 days of notification, the companies have not brought themselves into compliance by either (a) reducing or eliminating the lead or (b) placing “clear and reasonable warnings” on the food packages, then ELF will file suit if no other law enforcement prosecutes the violation.