(NaturalHealth365) When you go shopping for baby food, you’re looking for flavors babies love and, of course, healthier (nutritious) options.  Unfortunately, many canisters, pouches, and jars also come with something most mainstream media outlets refuse to publicize … and that’s toxic heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic!

And, while this major problem was uncovered close to a decade ago, it’s yet to be solved.  But, the news about this just got worse than you can imagine.

A new report from Healthy Babies Bright Futures discovered that there’s a continuing problem with toxins in baby food. The report noted that far too many toxins continue to find their way into foods eaten by our young children. And although – conventionally speaking – the amount of heavy metals may appear to be “small,” these toxins will build up inside the body over time.

Only 5% of baby food did NOT test positive for heavy metals

The scary part about the recent report is that only 5% of baby foods tested were free from heavy metals.

That means that a whopping 95% of baby foods are contained toxins, leaving many parents wondering what is safe to feed their children.  Breaking down those numbers, 8% of foods tested contained one metal, 21% contained two metals, 40% contained three metals, and a scary 26% of baby foods tested contained all four heavy metals tested for in a single container.

Even though the amounts of toxins found in these foods were small, when heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and others build up, they’re known to result in neurodevelopmental harm. Exposures at a young age are particularly dangerous.

Infant rice cereals were particularly problematic, with four out of seven rice cereals tested containing levels of inorganic arsenic that are higher than the current FDA standards. Rice is known to absorb arsenic found in the soil easily, and parents may be wise to avoid rice-based products altogether when feeding their young children.

Choosing the safest foods for babies and young children

When 95% of baby food options are contaminated with heavy metals, what can you feed babies and young children safely? Some of the safer options include non-rice cereals, such as organic oatmeal and multigrain cereals, rice-free snacks and, of course, you’re own (homemade) soft foods.

Babies should also eat a variety of vegetables, although it’s suggested to minimize the number of root vegetables a child eats. Root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots were more likely to have elevated levels of toxins.

The Healthy Baby Food organization also has some easy swaps that parents can consider to reduce exposure to toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic:

• Swap out puff rice snacks for rice-free snacks
• Skip the teething biscuits and go with chilled cucumbers or bananas instead to soothe teething gums
• Instead of sweet potatoes and carrots, go with other veggies your baby enjoys
• Avoid fruit juices and give your baby clean (purified) water instead

Again, to state the obvious, one of the best options to protect your baby from toxins found in baby food is to purchase organic foods and make your own. Steam organic veggies and fruits, puree them, and you’ll have tasty baby foods that are much safer than what you buy at the store.

Sources for this article include:

HealthyBabyFood.org
Healthline.com