New report reaffirms urgent need for companies to tackle heavy metals in baby food

Statement of Boma Brown-West, Director of Consumer Health, Environmental Defense Fund

February 4, 2021
Natalie McKeon, (212) 616-1338, nmckeon@edf.org

“Today’s report underscores the urgency for companies to take immediate and aggressive action to reduce toxic heavy metals – including lead, cadmium and arsenic – in food, especially baby food. These heavy metals harm brain development in infants and children, and pose financial and reputational liability for companies.

“In an era where companies’ behavior is being examined under a microscope, the real winners will emerge based on their ability to address toxic chemicals in baby food head on. 

“While more action across the supply chain is needed in reducing heavy metal contamination, there are safer management practices that companies can adopt today. The Baby Food Council, an initiative co-founded by EDF, accelerates efforts from leading companies with support from academic, government and NGO partners and advisors, to create safer baby food products.”

-Boma Brown-West, Director, EDF+Business

# # #

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 2.5 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EDFBiz.