The Feds Finally put Limits on Arsenic in Baby Food

My first thought was, "Why in the world did this take so many years?" and my second thought was, "Isn't that wonderful...we've finally decided to agree as to how much poison-by-arsenic in baby food is acceptable."  Based upon what information have we concluded there to be a "safe" amount of poison in baby food?

For decades, Consumer's Union has been pushing the FDA to officially limit the arsenic levels in rice cereal as that appears to be the food of choice of many mothers of infants for their first "real" food.  I'm guessing that pediatricians all push rice cereal, so, without bothering to do any research, mothers simply do what they are told.   

What's an acceptable amount of poison for our precious babies?  100 parts per billion.  How did they arrive at that amount?  Great question, to which I have found no answer. 
     "The proposed limit is a prudent and achievable step to reduce exposure to arsenic among infants." said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

I also particularly like this quote from the FDA:
    " In 2016, FDA completed an analysis of evidence linking relatively high levels of inorganic arsenic during pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes."

Adverse pregnancy outcomes?  Political speak for, "Arsenic can destroy your baby's health and cognition."

We could do away with all the poisonous heavy metals: arsenic, selenium, lead, mercury, etc. if we truly wanted to....it's just that we really don't want to because it would cost a whole load of money.  What's the alternative?  Honestly, no matter what one decides to do...breast feed, avoid rice cereal, make one's own baby food... were never going to fully escape exposing our children or ourselves to all chemical poisons. 

The only thing we can do is to limit the exposure by the choices we make:  purifying our drinking water, eating only organically grown foods, using only non-toxic cleaners and laundry soaps, personal products and cosmetics, using in-home air filtration and hoping for the best.

Dr. Esther
fixdhealthcare.com