To better serve our clients and parents who want to learn more about this serious issue, we posed some commonly asked questions to baby food lawyer Pedram Esfandiary.
Wisner Baum represents over 6,000 families in baby food lawsuits alleging several manufacturers knowingly sell products that contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Our clients were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after consuming substantial quantities of baby food products from the following companies:
Government reports issued in 2021 found cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in baby food products. Lead is arguably the most studied and well-known heavy metal in food. Roughly 1 in 10 children are estimated to consume more than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) daily allowable limit for lead.
Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury are environmental pollutants in the air, water, and soil that enter the food supply when plants take them up. According to the FDA, these toxic elements are “unavoidable in the general food supply.”
We do not believe this tells the whole story. Our baby food lawsuits maintain that companies are able to manufacture baby foods that are not high in dangerous heavy metals by using alternative ingredients, not adding certain pre-mix minerals and vitamins high in toxic metals, or sampling their ingredients from other sources.
Companies that manufacture baby food products should regularly test for toxic heavy metals to avoid their presence in the foods parents buy for their children. At the very least, baby food companies should warn unsuspecting parents of the existence of toxic metals in baby foods. Without robust safety standards, children are at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD.
Unfortunately, the answer is more than likely yes. Most baby foods have one or more heavy metal in them. According to the Clean Label Project, roughly 95% of baby foods contain at least one toxic heavy metal.
The 2021 U.S. House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy report found heavy metals in foods from:
Before the 2021 House report on baby food, other independent testing found heavy metals in infant formula and baby foods from:
Check out our blog for more information on baby foods to avoid.
Sadly, no. Testing has shown that some organic baby foods contain similar levels of heavy metals when compared to conventional products.
Heavy metals are naturally present in the soil and water due to environmental pollution, industrial farming, and other practices. Crops—even grown organically—can absorb these metals. But our lawsuits allege some baby food companies make profit-led decisions that increase contamination risks:
Ingredient Choices: Rice and sweet potatoes, commonly used in baby food products, absorb more arsenic and lead from soil. Several analyses from Consumer Reports and the Congressional baby food investigations found high levels of heavy metals in products that contain these ingredients in particular.
Opaque Sourcing: Companies often buy ingredients from regions with contaminated soils. Without transparent supply chains and strict testing protocols, heavy metals end up in finished products, including organic baby foods.
The fact of the matter is this: Industry testing standards are insufficient, and existing FDA guidelines do not cover all products, so some organic baby foods still test high for toxic metals.
Baby foods safe from heavy metals exclude ingredients like rice, fruit juices, sweet potatoes, or additives like premade vitamin mixes, all of which routinely test at high levels of heavy metals. If you are worried about heavy metals in the food products you serve your child, try substituting rice-based puffs for snacks made with other grains. Instead of fruit juices, try giving your child water.
If you want to evaluate your baby food for safety, we recommend the following resources:
Check out our blog for more information on baby foods without heavy metals.
There is no safe level of heavy metals exposure for babies and young children. The FDA has set the maximum contaminant levels (MCL) in bottled water at 10 ppb inorganic arsenic, 5 ppb lead, and 5 ppb cadmium. The EPA has capped the allowable level of mercury in drinking water at 2 ppb.
The testing results of baby foods and their ingredients outlined in the 2021 House baby food report significantly exceed those levels. The report cited arsenic levels up to 91 times greater, lead levels up to 177 times greater, cadmium levels up to 69 times greater, and mercury levels up to 5 times greater.
However, it is important to note that the FDA and EPA created those limits in reference to adult exposure, not infants, which is why the high levels of heavy metals exposed in the government report are so alarming.
Yes, studies have shown that exposure to toxic metals as a baby, toddler, or young child can cause neurodevelopmental harm, including autism and ADHD. While other variables, including genetics and exposure to other environmental factors, may also affect healthy brain development, the amount of toxic heavy metals in some baby foods is concerning. Our law firm is determined to hold companies accountable for knowingly selling baby foods tainted with high levels of dangerous heavy metals.
Yes, but surprisingly, there have only been a handful of baby food recalls over heavy metals since 2020
In May of 2025, Publix voluntarily recalled GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food due to elevated lead levels. No illnesses were reported.
In March of 2025, Target’s Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale & Thyme Vegetable puree was recalled due to elevated lead levels. According to Oregeon health officials, two infants developed lead poisoning after consuming the recalled product.
Walmart and Beech-Nut previously issued baby food recalls for certain products.The Beech-Nut baby food recall issued in June of 2021 was for Single Grain Rice Cereal item (UPC 52200034705) with expiration date 01MAY2022 and product codes 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX. Beech-Nut recalled the products because heavy metals testing indicated arsenic levels in excess of the FDA’s maximum allowable limit of 100 parts per billion.
The Walmart baby food recall was issued in October of 2021 for Parent’s Choice (Walmart brand) Rice Baby Cereal 8 oz. The products include:
The Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Committee on Oversight and Reform’s second baby food report issued in September of 2021 noted that public health officials in Alaska tested Gerber and Beech-Nut products and found high levels of arsenic in both brands. Gerber infant rice food tested at 116ppb arsenic, an amount that surpassed the levels detected in Beech-Nut infant rice cereal. But while Beech-Nut issued a recall, Gerber did not. According to the report, Gerber “has taken no such actions to protect consumers” from the heavy metals detected by Alaska public health officials.
With little to no FDA restrictions, baby food manufacturers are free to set their own heavy metals standards for baby food. Until the FDA enacts robust rules for heavy metals in baby foods, government-imposed recalls are unlikely.
To stay updated on company-issued baby food recalls, Very Well Family maintains a recall list that is updated frequently. You can also review the FDA’s alerts and advisories for infant formula and other baby food products.
Not nearly enough, though we hope that will change. In 2021, the FDA announced its “Closer to Zero” action plan to reduce heavy metals in baby foods to levels “as low as possible.” While the plan is a positive step toward protecting children from exposure to heavy metals, it will likely take more than what is in the current version of the plan to truly meet the challenge of reducing heavy metal levels in food closer to zero.
This issue has been around for years, and the FDA has done very little to protect children from heavy metals in their food. Baby food manufacturers are not required to test finished products for toxic heavy metals. No valid explanation exists for this absurd and dangerous policy except to ensure that manufacturers can freely do business without considering the risk to unknowing infants. Baby food companies do not even warn of the substantial presence of toxic heavy metals in their food. We are determined to change this via litigation.
The Baby Food Safety Act is legislation intended to give the FDA authority to limit toxic heavy metals in infant and toddler foods and set strict testing and labeling requirements to protect children.
Lawsuits involve major brands such as Beech-Nut, Gerber, Earth’s Best Organic, Happy Family Organics, Plum Organics, Sprout Foods, and Walmart’s Parent’s Choice.
No. The type of cases we file are called mass torts. These lawsuits are filed on behalf of parents whose children were diagnosed with autism or ADHD after being exposed to baby foods from several leading brands.
In class action lawsuits, everyone has the same or significantly similar injuries. Therefore, all participants (aside from class representatives) will receive similar amounts of compensation at the end of the case.
A mass tort groups together individual claims or lawsuits before the same court and judge to avoid duplicative discovery and ensure consistent application of laws and procedures. Because the cases are still individual lawsuits, the amount received will not necessarily be uniform. The amount of compensation is based on the actual damages (physical, emotional, and economic) that you have as an individual.
We believe that mass torts offer the best of both worlds when it comes to litigation. By grouping many cases before the same judge, costs are kept down, as any expert testimony, travel, and expenses incurred during discovery can be divided across the whole group. The compensation you receive will more accurately reflect your level of harm instead of being doled out equally to a person who potentially suffered less.
Class action lawsuits serve a good purpose. In the baby food litigation, an individualized claim is in parents' best interest.
The easiest way to determine if you have a baby food lawsuit is to fill out our contact form for a free and fast case evaluation. We will review your case immediately and contact you within a matter of days if you are eligible to pursue a lawsuit.
You may have a case if your child developed autism or ADHD after consistently eating baby foods from the following brands:
You may still be eligible to join the mass tort lawsuit even if your child was diagnosed with autism or ADHD years ago. If your child’s diagnosis was years ago, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
It is impossible to predict how much money you could receive from a successful baby food lawsuit. Each case has different damages associated with it, and the extent of a company’s wrongdoing is often not fully discovered until our attorneys get deeper into the litigation process.
Victims generally may be eligible to receive compensation for:
These cases can last years or be completed relatively quickly, depending on the whims of the companies involved. Mass tort lawsuits often last more than a year, but beyond that minimum estimate, the timelines for each case are impossible to predict.
Read food labels before you buy: Pay close attention to the first couple of ingredients in the foods you buy. Ingredients are listed in order of predominance in the product. Some baby food pouches or blends may say “kale and pear” or “pumpkin and spinach,” but in reality, the first couple of ingredients are sweet potatoes, which should be avoided as they typically test high in heavy metals.
Foods with a long list of ingredients should be avoided, as should rice-based foods or foods that include additives like premade vitamin mixes. If you are unsure, check Puremarket to see how your foods rate for heavy metals.
Breastfeed if you can: Some infant formulas test high for heavy metals, so avoid formula feeding if you can. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, then continued breastfeeding for one year or longer as complementary foods are introduced and as mutually desired by mother and infant.
Serve water, not fruit juice: Some fruit juices for kids test for heavy metals at high levels. Sweeten your child’s water with lemon or give them sliced whole fruits rather than packaged fruit juices.
Try making your own purees and baby foods: While most people may not have time to do this, the benefits of making your child’s food at home can help your child avoid heavy metals and other contaminants from packaging and manufacturing.
Making baby food can be cost-effective as well, as you can choose which ingredients fit your budget and your child’s taste. If you want more information on getting started making your own organic baby food, we recommend checking out this book.
