A new study was just released from The Environmental Law Foundation, a San Francisco based nonprofit, that screened 400 samples of products marketed toward children, such as juices and snacks, for lead. What they found was CRAZY, over 85% of the products tested contained more than .5 micrograms of lead per serving, which violates California Proposition 65, a law that requires companies to place warnings on any packaging containing traces of lead in kids drinks or snacks.
California is currently the only state that requires such labeling, which is why we here in Pennsylvania most likely haven't heard anything about this. I have done more research on this study and found that the FDA hasn't updated acceptable lead levels for food in over 20 years, so there in lies a different issue. With the recent flap over BPA's and other plastics this test is slowly making waves in pediatric medical circles. On the surface of things .5 micrograms doesn't seem like a huge number, but when given to babies and toddlers whose brains are still in development, even a little seems like too much. Another big hooptie-do over this list is the surprising number or "organic" or "natural" items from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other stores many moms consider safe.
On the other hand you have groups saying that there is lead in everything, which is true, anything packaged will have at least trace amounts of lead, even tap water; the key being "everything in moderation". Ugh, what's mom to do!! So I thought I would post two articles I found, and let you Mom's be the deciders, find new juice or stick with what you have. Either way, being more informed helps in making decisions, boycott the food system or stop freaking out about every study that comes down the pike.
Anyhow, here is the list of items that tested positive for having over the allowable amount of lead in children's snacks and juices.
Here is one article arguing for ignoring the study (and I LOVE this website):
Here is an article explaining the greater issues with lead in children's products:
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