Image source

Food contamination is a serious concern, and baby food has recently been in the news due to the presence of heavy metals. A number of manufacturers, including Gerber baby food, have been named in a lawsuit.

If you have reason to believe that your baby food has heavy metals in it, you should contact a lawyer to file a Gerber baby food lawsuit. As food manufacturers, these companies have a responsibility to produce clean, healthy food, and failing to do so makes them liable for damages.

What are Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals are chemicals that naturally occur in nature. This includes arsenic, lead, and mercury. Due to human activities like mining, industrial practices, and farming, they can accumulate in higher concentrations than normal, and that can be harmful to humans. These metals sometimes find their way into food products due to farming practices and are known to cause cancer and damage the DNA.

The Gerber Lawsuit

A lawsuit was filed against the Gerber Products Company due to the presence of heavy metals in their baby food. Other manufacturers were also named in the lawsuit, and the allegation against them is that they put babies in danger by selling hazardous or contaminated products.

Heavy metals are known to cause developmental issues, and research has suggested a connection between autism and the presence of heavy metals in food.

The Metals Found in Gerber Baby Foods

Arsenic

Arsenic is commonly used in industrial processes and can be found in pesticides or contaminated water. It is known to cause developmental disorders in children, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It has been found in fruit juices, rice, and seafood in the past.

Lead

Lead is found in contaminated soil and has been used to paint homes in the past. It is known to cause cancer, impaired brain development, and heart disease.

Mercury

Mercury is also used in industrial processes and is produced from burning coal. It can cause respiratory issues, damage kidneys, and even cause neurological damage in small children. It has been found in trace amounts in some seafood.  

Other metals

Some other heavy metals that have been found in food include nickel, cadmium, and chromium. They occur in contaminated water sources due to industrial activity or the use of fertilizers. These metals are known to cause allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, and cancer. They have been found in root vegetables and cereals.

What Can You Do About It?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other regulatory bodies advise parents to give their children a mix of foods to reduce the risk of poisoning. Due to the state of manufacturing today, it may not be clear if heavy metals are present in food, so the only way to avoid them is to minimize exposure.

Some sources recommend avoiding fruit juices, rice, and root vegetables, as they have been found to have a high concentration of heavy metals in the past. Using safe water and reducing the use of processed foods in children’s diets can reduce the risk of exposure to heavy metals.

Conclusion

Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment. However, when present beyond a certain concentration, they can be dangerous to humans. Due to industrial activity, farming, and mining practices, heavy metals have increasingly been found in food products.

These metals can cause cell damage, DNA damage, and cancer. In babies, they can cause developmental issues, and research has shown a probable link between autism and the presence of heavy metals in baby food.

It is important for consumers to remember that they have a right to file a lawsuit against companies that produce harmful products, so contact a lawyer if you’re a victim of similar circumstances.