At Gerber, we’re proud to lead the way in quality and safety. We understand that parents and caregivers have concerns about heavy metals in baby food. That’s why we’re committed to providing clear information about our processes and standards—for the peace of mind you deserve when feeding your little one.
Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic naturally occur in the earth’s crust and can be absorbed by crops through soil and water, even if they’re grown in your own garden. As part of their Closer to Zero initiative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes “action levels” for limits of heavy metal amounts in food made for babies and young children. Here are the latest:
|
Foods for infants and children under 2 years with FDA action levels |
Lead |
Inorganic Arsenic |
|
Dry infant rice cereal |
20 ppb |
100 ppb |
|
Dry infant cereal not containing rice |
20 ppb |
Not established |
|
Single ingredient root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes) |
20 ppb |
Not established |
|
Fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, yogurts, and blends of these foods |
10 ppb |
Not established |
|
Apple juice |
Not established |
10 ppb |
PPB = parts per billion, or equal to a single drop of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool. These are final action levels. Action levels that are not yet finalized by the FDA (but may be available as a draft proposal) are indicated as "not established.” Final action levels for cadmium and mercury have not yet been established.
Parents and caregivers can rest assured all Gerber foods meet the FDA’s new action levels, U.S. regulations, and our own strict standards for dietary exposure to contaminants.
We’ve long taken proactive steps to minimize heavy metals in our ingredients, and we're committed to continuing these efforts. We prioritize sourcing from regions with lower levels of heavy metals, and we test crops, water, ingredients, and finished products using the latest technology. You can access our product test results here.
We’ve answered your most frequently asked questions about FDA action levels below.
What are FDA “action levels”?
FDA action levels are limits on the amount of heavy metals allowed in select baby foods. They’re set to protect infants and children under age 2 from dietary exposure to these elements. Every Gerber food with an FDA action level meets all requirements.
Why are action levels for a particular heavy metal different by food?
Baby foods have different action levels for each heavy metal to account for changes in serving size, as well as the fact that some ingredients naturally absorb more heavy metals from the environment than others.
Why aren’t action levels for cadmium, mercury, and some foods established yet?
Action levels are established through a rigorous scientific process, which takes time. As the FDA works to finalize an action level, it may be shared as a draft proposal. You can learn more about the process and the FDA’s Closer to Zero initiative here.
What’s the difference between total arsenic, organic arsenic, and inorganic arsenic?
Arsenic naturally occurs in the environment in both inorganic and organic forms—together referred to as “total arsenic.” Inorganic arsenic is generally considered to be the more toxic of the two. While total arsenic is monitored in foods and reported as required by California Assembly Bill 899, FDA action levels specifically consider inorganic arsenic, setting limits in foods such as infant rice cereal and apple juice.
Is it safe for my baby to eat foods containing heavy metals?
Parents and caregivers can rest assured all Gerber foods meet the FDA’s new action levels, U.S. regulations, and our own strict standards for dietary exposure to contaminants. Having a variety of foods in your baby’s diet is critical to their wellbeing. The nutrition that fruits, vegetables, and grains provide is far more important than avoiding foods that naturally containvery small amounts of heavy metals. You can learn more by reviewing the FDA's Action Plan and our Heavy Metals FAQs.