FDA Responds to Baby Foods Congressional Reports as Class Actions Are Filed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a constituent update responding to the Senate’s report on elevated levels of heavy metals in baby foods. “While the report released on February 4, 2021 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy raises important questions on what more can be done to reduce toxic elements in baby foods, the FDA has been actively working on this issue using a risk-based approach to prioritize and target the agency’s efforts,” the update states. “Firms and individuals who manufacture or sell food have a legal responsibility under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of their products. The FDA reviews information and takes action on a case-by-case basis. If the FDA finds that a product violates the law, the agency takes steps to stop the product from being imported, takes court action to stop its sale or recalls it if it is in the domestic market.”

The response comes amid pressure for the agency to set limits across all baby foods for heavy metals content rather than specifically for rice cereal. Dozens of lawsuits relying on the Congressional report have been filed following its release, including lawsuits against Beech-Nut Nutrition Co., Hain Celestial Group and Plum Organics.