On June 5, Consumer Reports published a study of lead concentrations in veggie puffs, snacks aimed to help young children eat their vegetables.
Lesser Evil’s cassava based “Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend” which have Toy Story branding were found to have the highest concentration of lead out of any the 80 baby foods tested by Consumer Reports since it began testing the products in 2017.
Despite the elevated lead levels, a doctor who spoke to Consumer Reports said that they can still be safely eaten, but that growing children should have their intake of the Voyager Veggie Blend in particular to at most half a serving per day.
All 80 baby food products tested by Consumer Reports were found to have some level of various metals which can be harmful in high concentrations. Certain grains and vegetables, such as the cassava root that form the basis of many veggie puffs, have elevated levels of heavy metals which they absorb from the soil, even though. Some methods of preparation can concentrate the amount further.
Sami Rosnov, chief of operations at Corner Market Communications, which represents Lesser Evil, told Consumer Reports that lead occurs in nature “due to years of pollution and contamination in our water and soil.”
The report concluded that “A few servings a week of a food that’s on the higher side for lead won’t pose immediate risks to your child. But it’s a good idea to minimize the amount of heavy metals in your family’s diet when you can, especially because your child may be exposed to lead and other heavy metals from the air, water, or other foods. And there are plenty of alternatives low in heavy metals.”
