Protecting Kids from Lead: 10 Reasons to be Thankful
There have been many wins in 2024, and we are excited to review them.
Category: Food
Lead in Food: FDA Study Shows Excessive Cadmium, Lead in Kids’ Diets
FDA needs to get the lead and cadmium action levels out by December as promised and then do more to protect millions of infants and young children.
Lead in Food: Seattle/King County Leading on Metal Cookware
A new study sheds light on lead leaching in metal cookware. Knowing the safest cookware for food preparation can help reduce exposure to lead.
Lead in Food: Washington State Acts on Metal Cookware in Face of FDA Inaction
A new Washington State law, passed unanimously by the legislature and signed by Governor Inslee, prohibits manufacturers from making, selling, offering for sale, or distributing for sale or use in the State, any metal cookware with a component containing more than five parts per million (ppm) of lead by the end of 2025.
Lead in Food: Be Cautious Pointing to Codex
Codex’s standards have a global impact because they are referenced in a World Trade Organization agreement. Therefore, although Codex standards are voluntary, food and food ingredients traded between countries are expected to comply with Codex standards.
Lead in Food: Court of Appeals Doubts FDA’s Commitment to Standards
FDA is already under pressure to move faster on its action levels for lead, cadmium, and arsenic under the leadership of its new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Jim Jones. This court decision, along with the recall of applesauce pouches, should increase that pressure.
Lead in Baby Food and in Faucets—New Year Means Good News
Beginning January 1, 2024, manufacturers of baby food or of drinking water faucets must comply with new requirements designed to reduce people’s exposure to lead. California’s legislature played a significant role making each happen. Let’s start with mandatory testing of baby food for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury and then turn to tighter lead leaching standards for drinking water faucets and related devices.