Baby Food and Formula Testing

baby food and formula testing
New study finds levels of lead, arsenic, BPA, and other harmful substances in purchased baby food, infant formulas, toddler drinks and snacks.

In a study released Wednesday, October 25, researchers from the Clean Label Project found levels of lead, arsenic, BPA, and other harmful substances in purchased baby food, infant formulas, toddler drinks and snacks. Baby food and formula testing reveals hidden dangers like these chemicals that can affect fine motor skills and cognition says one pediatrician. A third party analytical chemistry laboratory tested the products (learn more about this study, here).

Researchers looked at 530 different baby food products including popular brands like Gerber, Enfamil, Plum Organics and Sprout, screening them for more than 130 toxins like heavy metals, BPA and pesticides. The study ound 65% tested positive for arsenic, 36% tested positive for lead, 58% tested positive for cadmium and 10% tested positive for acrylamide, all of which pose health threats when ingested, especially to a developing baby or toddler. Additionally, researchers found that 60% of the products tested positive for BPA, even those claiming to be BPA free.

The most common contaminant found in this study was arsenic, present in almost 80% of formulas sampled. Though many of the contaminants were found in trace amounts, some of the products containing arsenic had up to 600 parts per billion. According to the World Health Organization, arsenic is associated with developmental defects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, diabetes and cancer. Rice based snacks were also found to have high levels of arsenic, presumably absorbed through the soil while it grows. The FDA proposed a limit on arsenic of 100 parts per billion in rice cereals, but hasn’t enforced it.

Lead was another heavy offender that has been found in baby food and formula in the past. Even low levels of lead in the body are associated with lower IQ, slow growth, behavior issues, trouble with hearing, and anemia. Lead in food is not regulated though no amount is said to be safe.

If you are a baby food or baby formula producer, manufacturer or supplier who needs a third party laboratory to test your product, let us help save you time and money! Visit our website to submit a test request or call us at 1-855-377-6821! Below are some of the recent baby food and baby formula test requests we have helped facilitate testing or:

  • Regulatory Agency need food laboratory BPA testing in baby food product for BPA level
  • Food laboratory needed for baby food formula testing for Glutamic Acid or Aspartic Acidin the powder and liquid forms.
  • Preclinical Contract Research Organization CRO needed for preclinical baby infant formula testing: AOAC Protein Efficiency Ratio (Rat Bioassay) testing – official method 960.48. Testing needed to comply to demonstrate Quality Factor Requirements Under 21 CFR 106.96(i)
  • Laboratory needed for breastmilk testing to determine if it is breastmilk or if it is infant formula. (Essentially, to determine conclusively whether or not the liquid is breastmilk. There is the possibility it is supplemented with cow’s milk, or is entirely infant formula). OR: comparison of “breastmilk” with the (reconstituted by the lab) powdered infant formula which the client believes is being provided, (client will provide a new, sealed container of the infant formula which client believes is being passed off as breast milk) in order to determine the likelihood that the “breastmilk” and the powdered formula are the same substance.
  • USA Food Laboratory needed for nutritional analysis of infant formula imported from Vietnam nutrient lab test for infant formula.
  • Tokyo, Japan Consumer Products Safety Laboratory needed for on site Radioactive testing on containers of infant formula at the port of Tokyo, Japan
  • US Laboratory to test for Nitrosamines in infant formula powder.
  • View more baby and children’s product test requests