A nationwide recall of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree due to lead poisoning concerns has reignited worries about lead in food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating elevated lead levels in the applesauce pouches, following proposed limits on metal levels in processed baby food.
Understanding the FDA's Lead Limits
In January, the FDA announced plans to reduce lead levels to under 10 parts per billion (ppb) for various foods, including fruits, vegetables, yogurts, custards, and single-ingredient meats. Limits of 20 ppb were proposed for root vegetables and dry infant cereals, driven by health concerns associated with lead, especially in children.
How Does Lead Enter Our Food?
Lead naturally exists in the Earth's core and can find its way into food through multiple pathways. From direct air deposits to plants and livestock consuming lead-laced soil, the presence of lead in harvested foods is inevitable. Industrial processing or packaging can also introduce lead into food. Notably, baby foods might have higher levels, as some manufacturers add vitamins or enzymes, as revealed in a 2021 congressional report on lead contamination.
What Defines "Safe" Lead Levels?
While a perfect world would be lead-free, lead is omnipresent. The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts there's "no known safe blood lead concentration." The CDC recommends children maintain blood lead concentrations below 5 µg/dL, emphasizing the heightened risks for children due to increased absorption and hand-to-mouth behaviors.
The Perils of Lead on Children's Health
Children exposed to lead can suffer neurocognitive deficits, lower IQ, attention issues, and underperformance at school. The AAP recommends lead screenings for kids between 12 and 24 months, as symptoms might not be immediately noticeable.
Avoiding Lead in Food
While complete avoidance of lead in food is challenging, FDA monitoring helps maintain safety. Dr. Sarah Shafer suggests not panicking, as significant lead exposure in processed foods is uncommon. Dr. Danelle Fisher advises introducing food variety to children to minimize exposure, emphasizing that a well-rounded diet is key.
Identifying Environmental Sources of Lead
Parents should be cautious of lead sources in the environment, such as deteriorating paint, soil near older buildings, lead pipes, certain imported items, and specific jobs involving lead-based products. Dr. Diane Calello underscores the importance of eating a varied diet to mitigate risks associated with consuming any single food with slight metal contamination.
This article was originally published on Feb. 1, 2023, and has been updated.