Instant International
Written by: Liang Kaiyi
2021-02-05 12:22
The last update date: 2021-02-05 12:22
The U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee issued a report on February 4, mentioning that congressional investigators found "toxic heavy metals in certain baby foods at dangerous levels" and required the establishment of new standards and testing regulations.
Some products are available in Hong Kong.
The sub-committee stated that it has already challenged Happy Family Organics manufacturer Nutrition Inc, Earth’s Best Organics manufacturer Hain Celestial Group Inc, Beech-Nut Nutrition and Nestle’s subsidiaries. Gerber tested its products and said it was "deeply concerned" that Walmart Inc, Campbell Soup Co and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation.
The picture shows the sale of Gerber's baby food in a supermarket in New York City on April 12, 2007.
(Getty Images)
The report pointed out that internal company standards "allow toxic heavy metals to reach dangerous levels, and documents disclose that manufacturers often sell food that exceeds these standards."
The report urges US regulators to set the highest standards for toxic heavy metals in baby foods, and requires manufacturers to test the heavy metals in finished products, not just food ingredients.
Baby food companies say they have worked hard to reduce the metal content naturally present in food.
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, chairman of the oversight subcommittee, said the report found that “these manufacturers know this and still sell baby foods with high levels of toxic heavy metals... It’s time to develop higher levels for future generations. standard".
A spokesperson for the US Food and Drug Administration said that the authorities are reviewing the report.
The bureau stated that toxic ingredients exist in the natural environment and enter the food supply through land, water or air.
"Because they cannot be completely removed, our goal is to minimize the toxic content of food."
Campbell issued a statement on its official website, referring to the safety of its products. It also said that the Food and Drug Administration currently lacks metal content standards for baby foods, and that the company considers itself to be a congressional investigator's research "full partner."
Wal-Mart stated that it had submitted information to the committee in February 2020, but it has never received any follow-up investigation information.
Hai Enfu Group said that this report reviews outdated information and "cannot reflect our current practices."
According to Euromonitor, the US baby food market was estimated at 8 billion U.S. dollars last year.
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