Questions?What Is the Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit?
The toxic baby food lawsuit stems from the alarming discovery of high levels of heavy metals in popular baby food brands.
Families began filing these lawsuits after a 2021 Congressional report found that many baby food brands contained harmful amounts of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
These toxic chemicals commonly found in baby products have been linked to developmental issues such as autism and ADHD.
- Beech-Nut®, sold by Beech-Nut Nutrition Company
- Earth’s Best Organic®, sold by Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
- Gerber®, sold by Gerber Products Company
- HappyBaby® and Happy Family® Organics, sold by Nurture
- Parent’s Choice™, sold by Walmart
- Plum Organics®, sold by Campbell Soup Company
- Sprout® Organic, sold by Sprout Food, Inc.
Families claim that these companies knowingly sold products with harmful substances, putting children at risk. As a result, many are filing product liability lawsuits, which seek to hold manufacturers accountable for not disclosing or removing harmful contaminants.
The Birth Injury Justice Center is dedicated to supporting families whose children have been harmed by negligence. We have partnered with leading law firms that can help families in all 50 states file toxic baby food lawsuits.
If you believe your child was exposed to toxic chemicals in baby food, we may be able to help. Get a free case review right now to find out if you may qualify.
Top 10 Facts: Toxic Substances in Baby Food
The Birth Injury Justice Center has compiled a list of key findings from the 2021 Congressional Report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other reliable sources.
Here are the 10 key facts parents should know about the toxic baby food lawsuit:
- 95% of baby food products tested were contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
- Heavy metal exposure from baby food can harm brain development, affecting learning, behavior, and growth.
- Rice-based products, including rice cereal, tend to have higher levels of arsenic.
- Fruit juices, especially apple and grape juice, may contain arsenic and lead.
- WanaBana recalled Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée pouches in November 2023 due to elevated lead levels.
- Nurture (HappyBABY) products contained more than six times the company’s safety limit for lead.
- Beech-Nut had up to 913 ppb arsenic and 887 ppb lead in ingredients.
- Hain (Earth’s Best Organic) had up to 309 ppb arsenic and 352 ppb lead in ingredients.
- Gerber products contained up to 90 ppb arsenic and 48 ppb lead in ingredients.
- Mercury was found in HappyBABY products, with levels as high as 10 ppb.
To understand these levels of heavy metals in baby food, it’s helpful to know the safety standards for common products.
For example, the FDA sets safe limits for heavy metals in bottled water: 10 ppb for arsenic, 5 ppb for lead, and 5 ppb for cadmium. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits mercury in drinking water to 2 ppb.
However, test results of baby foods show levels much higher than these standards — up to 91 times higher for arsenic, 177 times higher for lead, 69 times higher for cadmium, and 5 times higher for mercury.
Baby Food Lawsuit Update 2024
The issue of heavy metals in baby food has become a significant concern, leading to numerous lawsuits across the U.S.
As of November 2024, more than 30 baby food lawsuits have been filed in federal court in the Northern District of California. The toxic baby food lawsuits are combined into multidistrict litigation (MDL), a process similar to a class action. This streamlines the legal process and allows families to pursue their claims together.
The baby food manufacturers involved are facing pressure to release testing results and address the presence of heavy metals in their products.
A 2019 study found that 95% of baby food products tested showed contamination.
This alarming finding prompted further investigation into the safety of baby food, and in 2021, a Congressional report confirmed the presence of dangerous levels of these toxins in several popular brands.
In response, the FDA launched its Closer to Zero project, setting stricter limits for toxic elements in foods for young children, hoping to reduce the risks over time.
However, for the millions of families already affected, this may be too little, too late.
Can I File a Baby Food Autism Lawsuit?
If your child has autism, ADHD, or other developmental disorders after consuming contaminated baby food, you may be eligible to file a toxic baby food lawsuit.
- Consumed baby food products contaminated with heavy metals
- Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or another developmental disorder
- Experienced symptoms that may be linked to heavy metal exposure
If your child has been affected, you may be able to file a toxic baby food lawsuit to seek compensation and justice from negligent baby food companies.
Time is limited due to a law called the statute of limitations, which sets a strict deadline for filing lawsuits.
Don’t wait to find out if your family can be included in the toxic baby food lawsuit. Get started right now with a free case review.
How Do I File My Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit?
Filing a baby food heavy metals lawsuit involves several key steps. Working with a skilled attorney means they will guide you through the legal process with as little stress as possible.
- Free case review: Top lawyers offer free consultations to determine your eligibility to file a toxic baby food lawsuit. Get your free case review right now.
- Collect evidence: Your legal team will gather key evidence to build your case. This may include medical records and proof of using certain brands of baby food.
- File the lawsuit: Next, your lawyer will file your toxic baby food lawsuit in the correct court, ensuring any legal deadlines that apply to your case are met.
- Negotiate a settlement: Your attorney will negotiate with the other side to reach a settlement as quickly as possible.
If a settlement isn’t reached, your toxic baby food lawyer will continue fighting for your family at trial.
With an experienced attorney on your side, you can focus on caring for your child while your legal team pursues the compensation your family deserves.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to find out if you may qualify.
Health Risks of Toxic Substances in Baby Food
The heavy metals found in baby food can be dangerous to young children, as they can interfere with a child’s developing brain and nervous system.
“Toxic metal exposure can be harmful to the developing brain. It’s been linked with problems with learning, cognition and behavior.”
— American Academy of Pediatrics
Studies show that even low-level exposure during key stages of growth can change a child’s neurological pathways, raising their risk of developing autism and ADHD.
Learn more about the health risks linked to the toxic substances in baby food below.
Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition. It affects communication, social interaction, learning, and behavior. Symptoms typically appear within the first two years of life.
Research supports the idea that heavy metal exposure in baby food leads to ASD. Studies have found that children with autism often have elevated mercury levels, while early exposure to high cadmium and lead levels may further increase the risk.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral condition characterized by restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms often appear in early childhood and may become more evident in structured settings like school.
Exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium has been linked to ADHD in children. These neurotoxins can cause impairments in brain development and may increase the risk of cognitive and behavioral issues.
Increased Risk of Cancer
Heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium are known carcinogens. Exposure to these metals can cause oxidative stress and DNA damage, increasing cancer risk.
Infants and young children are especially vulnerable, as their developing bodies are more sensitive to toxins.
Other Health Effects
Beyond autism, ADHD, and cancer, exposure to toxins like lead and mercury can increase the risk of other conditions.
Toxic chemicals in baby food may lead to:
- Behavioral problems
- Brain damage
- Decreased motor skills
- Developmental setbacks
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Slowed growth and development
Get Legal Help for Your Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit
If your child has been diagnosed with autism or ADHD after consuming toxic baby food, you may be able to take legal action. A toxic baby food lawsuit could help cover the costs of medical care, therapies, and other support your child needs.
Taking legal action also means joining forces with others to hold negligent companies accountable for failing to protect children. When families work together, they can be more effective in advocating for change.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with a network of experienced toxic baby food lawyers who can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review to find out how we can help.
Toxic Baby Food Lawsuit FAQs
What baby food brands are not safe?
Many common baby food brands, such as Gerber, Beech-Nut, and more, have been found to contain harmful levels of heavy metals like lead, inorganic arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
These toxins pose potential risks to children’s health, particularly their brain development.
If your baby developed autism or ADHD and you think it could be related to their food, you may be able to file a toxic baby food lawsuit.
Find out right now by getting a free case review.
What are the bad chemicals in baby food?
According to a 2021 Congressional report, 95% of baby food products tested contained harmful levels of heavy metals.
The harmful chemicals commonly found in baby food include:
- Arsenic: Often found in rice-based baby foods, arsenic exposure can lead to developmental issues and cancer.
- Cadmium: This heavy metal can harm the kidneys and impact bone health.
- Lead: Exposure to this heavy metal can affect brain development and behavior.
- Mercury: Found in some fish-based baby foods, mercury can damage the nervous system, especially in young children.
These toxins can negatively impact a baby’s development, so it’s important for parents to be aware of potential risks.
If your child is showing signs of developmental delays and you think it could be linked to the food they ate, you may be able to file a toxic baby food lawsuit.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 to see if we can help you get started.
How do you qualify for the baby food lawsuit?
The best way to find out if you qualify for a toxic baby food lawsuit is to consult with an experienced lawyer. They can help determine if your child consumed contaminated baby food and developed related health issues like autism or ADHD.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has partnered with a network of skilled personal injury attorneys who can help families nationwide.
We also have experienced registered nurses on staff to assist you throughout the eligibility process — free of charge.
Click to Live Chat with a trained member of our team to see if we can help find out if you qualify.
Have toxic baby foods been recalled?
Yes, some baby foods have been recalled due to high levels of toxic heavy metals, including Beech-Nut Nutrition Company’s Single Grain Infant Rice Cereal and WanaBana’s apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.
Do baby food brands still contain heavy metals?
Unfortunately, many baby food brands still contain trace amounts of heavy metals due to factors such as soil contamination and pesticide use.
Some major baby food manufacturers have improved testing, sourcing, and food safety standards, but there’s still no official limit for concentrations of heavy metals in U.S. baby food.
What is the safest baby food brand?
According to the consumer safety group, Better Goods, some baby food brands that may minimize exposure to heavy metal contamination include Serenity Kids, Square Baby, Once Upon a Farm, and Little Spoon.
However, parents are strongly encouraged to explore all options and act to reduce dangerous levels of heavy metals in any way they can.
