FDA Comments on Baby Food Toxic Heavy Metals Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a Constituent Update posted yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration commented on the Feb. 4 report from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy.

Since the report was posted, baby food companies such as Gerber have been hit with class-action lawsuits.

The FDA's response, which can be read in full here, highlights the following:

• How FDA regulations and monitoring help to ensure the safety of baby foods sold or manufactured in the United States.
• How when toxic elements in food present a potential health concern, the FDA takes steps to reduce levels, such as using science to set action levels, making data public, and working with industry on identifying effective mitigation strategies.

• How the FDA is continuing to work to ensure both domestic and imported foods meet the same standards for toxic elements.