FDA Urges Congress: Protect Kids from Lead in Imported Foods

FDA lead testing food safety for kids lead contamination imported food

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 12, 10:01 am

Photo: (Photo : CHRISTOPHE SIMON /Getty Images)

After numerous children were reportedly affected by lead contamination in imported food, the FDA now calls for lead testing.

The leader of the Food and Drug Administration made a call to Congress, urging the passage of legislation that would require food manufacturers to conduct lead testing on products imported into the United States.

This call to action from Dr. Robert Califf came during a hearing in response to inquiries from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., a key member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

FDA Lead Testing To Assure Food Safety for Kids

The discussion revolved around various issues tackled by the FDA, notably the case of lead-contaminated cinnamon applesauce pouches linked to numerous children falling ill.

These problematic applesauce pouches, produced by the Florida-based company WanaBana and imported from Ecuador, were subjected to a recall last autumn due to elevated lead levels.

Dr. Califf shed light on the FDA's vast oversight, covering approximately 275,000 registered manufacturing facilities both domestically and internationally. He emphasized the agency's reliance on food manufacturers to conduct their own testing, citing budget constraints.

While acknowledging that manufacturers often fulfill their testing responsibilities effectively, Dr. Califf highlighted instances where this diligence falls short. He underscored the absence of federal mandates for lead testing in food products, pointing out the contrast with the pharmaceutical industry's stringent batch testing requirements for potential contamination.

Reflecting on the cinnamon applesauce incident, Dr. Califf remarked that mandatory testing could have intercepted the issue upon the product's importation from Ecuador, potentially preventing its distribution in U.S. stores. He emphasized the disparity in testing protocols between the food and drug sectors, noting the stark contrast in regulatory standards regarding contamination prevention.

Lead Contamination

Adding to the complexity, the FDA currently lacks established limits on heavy metals in most food items, with only a select few, such as chocolate and sugar-based candies, having specific lead thresholds.

In a move towards addressing this issue, the agency introduced preliminary guidelines in 2022 concerning lead levels in fruit juices.

Dr. Califf's remarks follow a recent investigation by Consumer Reports, which uncovered heightened lead levels in certain lunchables products. This discovery has prompted the advocacy group to petition the government for the removal of these items from national school lunch programs.

Highlighting the need for legislative support, Dr. Califf emphasized that Congress holds the power to grant the FDA the authority needed to enforce mandatory testing. He likened the FDA's role to that of a referee, stressing that Congress plays a pivotal role in shaping regulatory frameworks.

In response to concerns raised by the recall of cinnamon apple products in October 2023, the FDA initiated a targeted examination of ground cinnamon products available at retail outlets.

This initiative aimed to assess lead and chromium levels in these products, leading to recommendations for recalls from distributors with elevated lead content in their cinnamon products.

The presence of lead in food can stem from environmental factors related to food production and processing. This exposure can have adverse effects on various bodily systems, particularly impacting young children and women of childbearing age.

The accumulation of lead in the body, stored mainly in the brain, liver, kidneys, and bones, underscores the significance of addressing lead contamination in food supplies.