The company offers several product lines for baby foods: Happy Family Organics, HappyBABY, and HappyTOTS. Have any of these products been recalled due to heavy metal contamination or other health risks?
Is Happy BABY Recalled?
Nurture Inc. and the rest of the brands in the Congressional Report reportedly have many products tainted with heavy metals. But not one issued a relevant recall or baby food safety warning. (1)(2) These are the only baby food product recalls that Nurture Inc. has issued:
HappyBABY & HappyTOT Baby Food Pouch Recall (2010)
In 2010, Nurture Inc. voluntarily recalled several HappyBABY products over possible bacterial contamination. Eating any of the contaminated products may cause serious health issues, including severe vomiting and nausea. (3) The recall was done in response to the FDA’s public warning to the company over numerous consumer reports that the baby food pouches were swollen or leaking. (3) Nurture Inc. warned the public against consuming these possibly contaminated products. According to the recall advisory, the compromised packaging may cause serious illness to little ones who ingested the content. (3) These HappyBABY Stages 1 and 2 food pouches with expiration dates from November 2010 to January 2011 were recalled: (3)
Mango (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00134 7 Spinach Mango Pear (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00139 2 Apricot Sweet Potato (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697
The following HappyTOTStage 4 baby food pouches, with expiration dates from November 2010 to January 2011, were also included in the recall: (3)
Green bean, pear & peas (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00127 9 Sweet potato, carrot, apple & cinnamon (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00128 6 Spinach, mango & pear (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00129 3 Butternut squash & apple (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00130 9 Banana, peach, coconut & prunes (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00131 6 Banana, peach & mango (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00132 3
No other HappyTOT and HappyBABY food products were affected by this recall. (3) The company recommends that you immediately consult your child’s pediatrician or seek medical attention if your child has eaten any contaminated food and fell ill. (3) To avoid spreading the contamination, Nurture Inc. also advises affected customers to discard the products in a way that will keep anyone, people or animals, from retrieving them. (3) Everyone who has touched the possibly contaminated baby food pouches should wash their hands thoroughly. Store personnel were also reminded to exercise caution in handling the recalled items and cleaning the affected areas in their shop. (3)
HappyTOT Super Foods Oat Bars Recall (2020)
Nurture Inc. issued a voluntary recall on November 3, 2020, on several products, following consumer complaints of some oat bars containing mold. (4) According to the recall advisory, these bars have a higher water content, making them more susceptible to mold growth. (4) HappyTOT Super Foods Gluten-Free Oat Bars (flavor: Organic Blueberries and Oatmeal; with UPC 8 19573 01507 2) in the recall: (4)
BB 07 APR 2021 20098 BB 08 APR 2021 20099 BB 09 APR 2021 20100 BB 18 MAY 2021 20139 BB 19 MAY 2021 20140 BB 16 JUN 2021 20168 BB 28 AUG 2021 20241
HappyTOT Super Foods Gluten-Free Oat Bars (flavor: Organic Bananas, Strawberries, and Sunflower Butter; UPC 8 19573 01508 9) included in the recall: (4)
BB 13 APR 2021 20104 BB 08 MAY 2021 20129 BB 20 MAY 2021 20141 BB 21 MAY 2021 20142 BB 08 JUN 2021 20160 BB 09 JUN 2021 20161 BB 15 JUN 2021 20167
The recall also included HappyKID Fruit & Oat Bar (flavor: Blueberry + Raspberry) with these product codes: (4)
BB 14 APR 2021 20105 BB 05 MAY 2021 20126 BB 11 MAY 2021 20132 BB 01 JUN 2021 20153 BB 08 JUN 2021 20190 BB 13 JUL 2021 20195 BB 04 AUG 2021 20217
The company has assured affected customers that the products don’t have a high risk of causing illness but recalled the items to prevent untoward incidents. (4) This official statement was posted on the company’s website: (5) The company has also assured parents that they have implemented tighter controls on monitoring the water activity of every batch of bars they bake so this may not happen again. (5) We want to assure families, first and foremost, that according to our internal food safety investigation and FDA’s review, there is a low risk of any health-related concerns following consumption. Nevertheless, it does not reflect the high standards we hold for our products and is not an experience we want our families to have.” On its website, the company claimed that it had commissioned third-party tests for all future bar productions. (5)
HappyBABY (Nurture, Inc.) In Congressional Reports On Baby Food Safety
Which Baby Food Brands Are Toxic?
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury can harm your baby’s body and brain development, even at low concentrations. (6)(7) So, the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy headed by Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi asked several popular baby food manufacturers for their test results and internal policies for heavy metal testing: (1)
Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics, HappyBABY, and HappyTOTS) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut) Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) Gerber Campbell’s Plum Organics Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice) Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
Only four baby food makers provided the Subcommittee with what they were asked for in the first Congressional Report: (1)
Gerber Beech-Nut Nurture Hain
The second Congressional Report published Plum Organics’ test results and internal policies. (2) The Subcommittee expressed alarm over the food manufacturers’ very high internal maximum limits for heavy metals. These higher limits meant that the baby foods or ingredients passed the company standards but actually failed to meet government limits. (1)(2) For example, these are the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) maximum limits for bottled water, in ppb (parts per billion): (8)
5 ppb lead 5 ppb cadmium 10 ppb inorganic arsenic
Instead of complying, these baby food companies increased their internal standards to exponential levels: (1)
Hain (cadmium): 200 ppb Hain (lead): 200 ppb Beech-Nut (cadmium): 3,000 ppb Beech-Nut (lead): 5,000 ppb
Also, the FDA’s maximum limit for infant rice cereal is 100 ppb inorganic arsenic. But the following companies set their internal maximum to these: (1)(8)
Beech-Nut (arsenic): 3,000 ppb Nurture (arsenic): 115 ppb Hain (arsenic): 200 ppb
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit for drinking water (but can be applied to food) is 2 ppb mercury. (9)
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY, HappyTOTS, And Happy Family Organics)
Unlike the other baby food makers who only tested ingredients for heavy metal content, Nurture tested both raw materials and finished products. (1) But the results showed that many of the company’s products have high levels of toxic heavy metals. (1) Nurture told the Subcommittee that though the finished products are tested, the results aren’t the basis for product release. (1) Heavy metal test results from Nurture, Inc.: (1) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 100 ppb (over 25% of Nurture baby products) Up to 160 ppb (version: Strawberry & Beet Puffs) Up to 160 ppb (version: Banana & Pumpkin Puffs) Up to 180 ppb (version: Apple & Broccoli Puffs)
Mercury:
Up to 9.8 ppb (version: Banana Sweet Potato) Up to 10 ppb (version: Brown Rice Cereal Canister)
Lead:
Up to 10 ppb (version: Nurture vegetables and rice products) Up to 560 ppb (version: Multi-Grain Cereal Canister) Up to 641 ppb (version: Blueberry Purple Carrot)
Cadmium:
Up to 5 ppb (close to 65% of Nurture products) Up to 36 ppb (version: Strawberry Raspberry) Up to 49 ppb (version: Multi-Grain Cereal Canister)
Second Congressional Report
The House Subcommittee released a follow-up report in September 2021. (2) The new report showed that the companies continue to produce baby foods with dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic and other heavy metals, based on independent tests by the state of Alaska. (1)(2) The Subcommittee also called out these baby food companies for failure to notify the public of their heavy metal content or recall any of their tainted products. (2)
Lawsuit Against HappyTOT For Heavy Metal Content
The Ecological Alliance LLC in Los Angeles filed a class suit against Nurture Inc., the parent company of Happy Family Organics, for making products allegedly having dangerous levels of lead in June 2021: (10)
HappyTOT apple and spinach fruit snack bar HappyTOT cheese and spinach ravioli product
The lawsuit alleges that the apple and spinach fruit snack bar has “higher-than-acceptable” lead content, while the cheese and spinach ravioli contains over 12 times the daily limit of lead exposure for a child. (10) As the basis for the allegations on the excessive lead levels, the lawsuit cites “independent laboratory tests conducted recently on an array of food products.” (10) The lawsuit also includes Target and Whole Foods. (10)
HBBF Comprehensive Food Safety Test
The two Congressional reports weren’t the only ones that called popular baby food manufacturers for producing products with questionable content. The HBBF commissioned independent tests of 168 baby foods from 61 different brands in 2019. (11) The results showed that as much as 95% may have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (11)
Arsenic: 73% of the baby foods Lead: 94% of the baby foods Mercury: 32% of the baby foods Cadmium: 75% of the baby foods
What’s alarming is that 26% of the baby foods HBBF tested contain all four toxic chemicals in one container. (11) HBBF expressed alarm over these findings, explaining that exposure to heavy metals can harm your child’s body and brain development. (11) Pointing out the lack of known safe levels for heavy metal exposure, HBBF urges baby food makers to establish a goal of no measurable amounts of heavy metals for any baby and young children’s food. (11)
Is Happy BABY Organic Baby Food Safe?
These HappyBABY Organic products have alarmingly high toxic metal content based on the HBBF study: (11) Organic Rice Cakes Puffed Rice Snack (Apple)
Total arsenic: 455 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 47 ppb
Lead: 1.7 ppb
Cadmium: 5.4 ppb
Mercury: 3.18 ppb
Superfood Puffs Organic Grain Snack (Sweet Potato & Carrot)
Total arsenic: 295 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 91 ppb
Lead: 3.7 ppb
Cadmium: 12.2 ppb
Mercury: 1.94 ppb
Superfood Puffs – Apple & Broccoli Organic Grain Snack (Crawling Baby)
Total arsenic: 266 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 83 ppb
Lead: 8.2 ppb
Cadmium: 11 ppb
Mercury: 2.16 ppb
Organic Teethers Blueberry & Purple Carrot (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 67 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 6 ppb
Cadmium: 8.2 ppb
Mercury: 2.26 ppb
Oats & Quinoa Baby Cereal Organic Whole Grains with Iron (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 10.2 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 0.9 ppb
Cadmium: 12.4 ppb
Mercury: 0.14 ppb
Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Clearly Crafted – Organic Whole Grains (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 6.3 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: <0.5 ppb
Cadmium: 10 ppb
Mercury: 0.14 ppb
Sweet Potatoes (Stage 1)
Total arsenic: 27.5 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 29 ppb
Lead: 2 ppb
Cadmium: 1.6 ppb
Mercury: <0.141 ppb
Apples, Sweet Potatoes & Granola Clearly Crafted Organic Baby Food (Stage 2)
Total arsenic: 3.6 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 5.2 ppb
Cadmium: 1.5 ppb
Mercury: <0.142 ppb
Does Happy Baby Organic Formula Have Heavy Metals?
The following HappyBABY Organic Food products also have measurable toxic heavy metal content but are within government regulations: (11)
Organic Infant Formula with Iron (0-12 months) Organics Sweet Potatoes (Stage 1) Organic Pears (Stage 1) Clearly Crafted Prunes Organic Baby Food (Stage 1) Simple Combos Apples, Spinach & Kale (Stage 2)
Consumer Reports Food Safety Test
Consumer Reports tested 50 baby foods for heavy metals in 2018: (12)
Nearly 68% of baby foods may have high levels of at least one toxic metal. At least 15 baby foods can have potential health risks if eaten daily Products with sweet potatoes or rice may contain higher toxic metal levels Organic foods may have the same amount of heavy metals as conventional baby foods
Baby Foods With Limited Daily Intake
Based on their tests, these products are categorized as “more concern.” Parents are advised to follow these daily serving limits: (12) Happy Baby Organics
Organic Probiotic Baby Cereal (<3 servings) Organics Superfood Puffs, Apple & Broccoli (<1 serving) Organics Superfood Puffs, Purple Carrot & Blueberry (<1 serving)
Earth’s Best Organic
Chicken & Brown Rice (<1 serving) Sunny Days Snack Bars, Strawberry (<1 serving) Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal (<2.5 servings) Sweet Potatoes, 1st Stage (<0.5 serving) Whole Grain Rice Cereal (<1 serving)
Baby Mum-Mum
Banana Rice Rusks (<3 servings) Vegetable Rice Rusks (3 servings)
Beech-Nut
Classics Sweet Potatoes (<0.5 serving) Complete Rice Single Grain Baby Cereal (<3 servings) Complete Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings) Organic Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings)
Plum Organics
Little Yums Organic Teething Wafers, Pumpkin & Banana (<5.5 servings) Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food (<1 serving) Mighty Sticks Whole Grain Snacks, Berry Beet (<1.5 servings)
Gerber
Turkey & Rice (<1 serving) Lil’ Meals flavor White Turkey Stew With Rice and Vegetables (<0.5 serving) Carrot, Pear & Blackberry (<1 serving) Carrots Peas & Corn With Lil’ Bits (<1 serving) Oatmeal Single Grain Cereal (<2.5 servings) Organic Oatmeal Cereal (<2.5 servings) Graduates Arrowroot Cookies (<6 servings) Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Crackers (<4.5 servings) Graduates Banana Cookies (<4 servings) Graduates Waffle Wheels Puffed Grain Snack, Banana Cream (<3 servings) Graduates Lil’ Biscuits Vanilla Wheat (<2.5 servings) Graduates Cereal Bars, Strawberry Banana (<1.5 servings)
Parent’s Choice (Walmart)
Little Puffs Cereal Snack, Strawberry Apple (<1.5 servings)
Sprout Organic
Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack, Apple Kale (<1.5 servings) Garden Vegetables Brown Rice With Turkey (<1 serving)
Baby Foods With No Daily Limits
Because they have low levels of heavy metals, based on the same report, these products are categorized as “less concern” (no daily limits): (2)(12) Happy Baby Organics
Purple Carrots, Bananas, Avocados & Quinoa
Ella’s Kitchen
Apples + Strawberries Nibbly Fingers
Gerber
Graduates Puffs Cereal Snack, Strawberry Apple Lil’ Beanies Baked Snack Made With Beans, White Cheddar & Broccoli Lil’ Crunchies Baked Corn Snack Mild Cheddar Lil’ Crunchies Baked Corn Snack Vanilla Maple Organic Puffs, Puffed Grain Snack, Apple Lil’ Entrées Chicken & Brown Rice With Peas & Corn Grabbers Strong Veggies, Broccoli, Carrot, Banana, Pineapple Organic Peas, Carrots & Beets Breakfast Buddies Hot Cereal With Real Fruit, Apple Cinnamon
Beech-Nut
Classics Apple, Pear & Banana Naturals Carrot, Broccoli, Apple & Strawberry Organic Just Apple & Green Beans Organic Peas, Green Beans, and Avocado Quinoa Crispies, Vanilla
Other Companies In The Congressional Report On Toxic Baby Foods
Aside from Nurture, Inc., these baby food makers were also listed on the Congressional reports: (1)(2)
Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Results
These test results for Plum Organics Organic Baby Food (flavor: Just Sweet Potato) are from an HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures) report: (11) Mercury:
Less than 0.142 ppb
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 3.1 ppb
Lead:
Up to 5.6 ppb (exceeds the 5-ppb limit)
Cadmium:
Up to 2.3 ppb
In the second Congressional Report, Plum Organics’ test results were finally included. But these showed much higher levels of arsenic and other toxic metals than the HBBF data: (2)
Arsenic: Over 200 ppb arsenic (in 100% of Plum’s Super Puff rice-based products) Lead: Over 5 ppb lead (in 54.5% of Plum Organics products) Cadmium: Over 5 ppb cadmium (in 38.3% of Plum Organics products)
Gerber Products Company
Gerber only conducts heavy metal tests in raw materials, not finished products. (1) Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 90 ppb (ingredient: rice flour)
Lead:
Up to 48 ppb (ingredient: sweet potatoes)
Cadmium:
Over 5 ppb in carrots (in 75% of raw ingredients) Up to 87 ppb (ingredient: carrot batches) No test for cadmium (other raw materials)
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
Hain told the Subcommittee Report that it doesn’t test for heavy metals in finished products. Instead, “theoretical calculations” are based on the ingredients’ results. (1) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 309 ppb (for ingredients) Up to 129 ppb (for finished products)
Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Lead:
Up to 352 ppb (for raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 260 ppb (for ingredients)
Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
Walmart reportedly refused to provide the Subcommittee with results or internal standards. The following results are from HBBF: (1)(11) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 108 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks) Up to 56.1 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Mercury:
Up to 2.05 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks) Up to 0.941 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Lead:
Up to 26.9 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks)
Up to 5.2 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Cadmium:
Up to 26.1 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack) Up to 2.4 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks)
Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
According to the Subcommittee, the company never responded. These test results for Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack (Apple Kale) are from the HBBF report: (1)(11) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 107 ppb
Mercury:
Up to 1.31 ppb
Lead:
Up to 39.3 ppb
Cadmium:
Up to 41.5 ppb
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
More than 300 ppb (in ingredients or additives used in various products) Up to 913.4 ppb (in raw materials)
Lead:
Up to 886.9 ppb (in raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 344.55 ppb (in raw materials)
Which Baby Food Is Safest?
These may be some of the best organic baby foods that may be a healthier alternative for these commercial products:
Yumi (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Spoon (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Journey Organics Once Upon A Farm Serenity Kids
Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home
Considering that many baby foods readily available on supermarket shelves may have high levels of toxic metal content, some parents opt to make their children’s food at home. If you plan on making your baby’s food at home, you may try the following ingredients: (2)
Quality meats, poultry, or fish Healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, or ghee) Whole or puree vegetables and fruits (avocados, apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, and strawberries) but avoid processed fruit juices Applesauce (unsweetened) Organic eggs Bone broth Raw yogurt Coconut yogurt Quinoa Oats
REFERENCES (1) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf (2) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/ECP%20Second%20Baby%20Food%20Report%209.29.21%20FINAL.pdf (3) https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/01/fda-acts-quickly-with-baby-food-warning/ (4) https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/bars-quality-and-safety/ (5) https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/bars-quality-and-safety/ (6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/ (7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/ (8) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements (9) https://www.epa.gov/mercury/what-epa-doing-reduce-mercury-pollution-and-exposures-mercury (10) https://www.fox5ny.com/news/high-lead-levels-found-in-2-happy-tot-baby-food-products-lawsuit-alleges (11) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf (12) https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/heavy-metals-in-baby-food/
title: “Reviews Everything You Need To Know About The Happy Baby Organics Food Formula Recall 2022 Motherhood Community” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-01” author: “Kelly Drake”
The company offers several product lines for baby foods: Happy Family Organics, HappyBABY, and HappyTOTS. Have any of these products been recalled due to heavy metal contamination or other health risks?
Is Happy BABY Recalled?
Nurture Inc. and the rest of the brands in the Congressional Report reportedly have many products tainted with heavy metals. But not one issued a relevant recall or baby food safety warning. (1)(2) These are the only baby food product recalls that Nurture Inc. has issued:
HappyBABY & HappyTOT Baby Food Pouch Recall (2010)
In 2010, Nurture Inc. voluntarily recalled several HappyBABY products over possible bacterial contamination. Eating any of the contaminated products may cause serious health issues, including severe vomiting and nausea. (3) The recall was done in response to the FDA’s public warning to the company over numerous consumer reports that the baby food pouches were swollen or leaking. (3) Nurture Inc. warned the public against consuming these possibly contaminated products. According to the recall advisory, the compromised packaging may cause serious illness to little ones who ingested the content. (3) These HappyBABY Stages 1 and 2 food pouches with expiration dates from November 2010 to January 2011 were recalled: (3)
Mango (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00134 7 Spinach Mango Pear (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00139 2 Apricot Sweet Potato (net wt. 3.5 oz.) – UPC 8 52697
The following HappyTOTStage 4 baby food pouches, with expiration dates from November 2010 to January 2011, were also included in the recall: (3)
Green bean, pear & peas (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00127 9 Sweet potato, carrot, apple & cinnamon (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00128 6 Spinach, mango & pear (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00129 3 Butternut squash & apple (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00130 9 Banana, peach, coconut & prunes (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00131 6 Banana, peach & mango (net wt. 4.22 oz.) – UPC 8 52697 00132 3
No other HappyTOT and HappyBABY food products were affected by this recall. (3) The company recommends that you immediately consult your child’s pediatrician or seek medical attention if your child has eaten any contaminated food and fell ill. (3) To avoid spreading the contamination, Nurture Inc. also advises affected customers to discard the products in a way that will keep anyone, people or animals, from retrieving them. (3) Everyone who has touched the possibly contaminated baby food pouches should wash their hands thoroughly. Store personnel were also reminded to exercise caution in handling the recalled items and cleaning the affected areas in their shop. (3)
HappyTOT Super Foods Oat Bars Recall (2020)
Nurture Inc. issued a voluntary recall on November 3, 2020, on several products, following consumer complaints of some oat bars containing mold. (4) According to the recall advisory, these bars have a higher water content, making them more susceptible to mold growth. (4) HappyTOT Super Foods Gluten-Free Oat Bars (flavor: Organic Blueberries and Oatmeal; with UPC 8 19573 01507 2) in the recall: (4)
BB 07 APR 2021 20098 BB 08 APR 2021 20099 BB 09 APR 2021 20100 BB 18 MAY 2021 20139 BB 19 MAY 2021 20140 BB 16 JUN 2021 20168 BB 28 AUG 2021 20241
HappyTOT Super Foods Gluten-Free Oat Bars (flavor: Organic Bananas, Strawberries, and Sunflower Butter; UPC 8 19573 01508 9) included in the recall: (4)
BB 13 APR 2021 20104 BB 08 MAY 2021 20129 BB 20 MAY 2021 20141 BB 21 MAY 2021 20142 BB 08 JUN 2021 20160 BB 09 JUN 2021 20161 BB 15 JUN 2021 20167
The recall also included HappyKID Fruit & Oat Bar (flavor: Blueberry + Raspberry) with these product codes: (4)
BB 14 APR 2021 20105 BB 05 MAY 2021 20126 BB 11 MAY 2021 20132 BB 01 JUN 2021 20153 BB 08 JUN 2021 20190 BB 13 JUL 2021 20195 BB 04 AUG 2021 20217
The company has assured affected customers that the products don’t have a high risk of causing illness but recalled the items to prevent untoward incidents. (4) This official statement was posted on the company’s website: (5) The company has also assured parents that they have implemented tighter controls on monitoring the water activity of every batch of bars they bake so this may not happen again. (5) We want to assure families, first and foremost, that according to our internal food safety investigation and FDA’s review, there is a low risk of any health-related concerns following consumption. Nevertheless, it does not reflect the high standards we hold for our products and is not an experience we want our families to have.” On its website, the company claimed that it had commissioned third-party tests for all future bar productions. (5)
HappyBABY (Nurture, Inc.) In Congressional Reports On Baby Food Safety
Which Baby Food Brands Are Toxic?
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury can harm your baby’s body and brain development, even at low concentrations. (6)(7) So, the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy headed by Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi asked several popular baby food manufacturers for their test results and internal policies for heavy metal testing: (1)
Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics, HappyBABY, and HappyTOTS) Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut) Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) Gerber Campbell’s Plum Organics Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice) Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
Only four baby food makers provided the Subcommittee with what they were asked for in the first Congressional Report: (1)
Gerber Beech-Nut Nurture Hain
The second Congressional Report published Plum Organics’ test results and internal policies. (2) The Subcommittee expressed alarm over the food manufacturers’ very high internal maximum limits for heavy metals. These higher limits meant that the baby foods or ingredients passed the company standards but actually failed to meet government limits. (1)(2) For example, these are the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) maximum limits for bottled water, in ppb (parts per billion): (8)
5 ppb lead 5 ppb cadmium 10 ppb inorganic arsenic
Instead of complying, these baby food companies increased their internal standards to exponential levels: (1)
Hain (cadmium): 200 ppb Hain (lead): 200 ppb Beech-Nut (cadmium): 3,000 ppb Beech-Nut (lead): 5,000 ppb
Also, the FDA’s maximum limit for infant rice cereal is 100 ppb inorganic arsenic. But the following companies set their internal maximum to these: (1)(8)
Beech-Nut (arsenic): 3,000 ppb Nurture (arsenic): 115 ppb Hain (arsenic): 200 ppb
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) maximum limit for drinking water (but can be applied to food) is 2 ppb mercury. (9)
Nurture, Inc. (HappyBABY, HappyTOTS, And Happy Family Organics)
Unlike the other baby food makers who only tested ingredients for heavy metal content, Nurture tested both raw materials and finished products. (1) But the results showed that many of the company’s products have high levels of toxic heavy metals. (1) Nurture told the Subcommittee that though the finished products are tested, the results aren’t the basis for product release. (1) Heavy metal test results from Nurture, Inc.: (1) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 100 ppb (over 25% of Nurture baby products) Up to 160 ppb (version: Strawberry & Beet Puffs) Up to 160 ppb (version: Banana & Pumpkin Puffs) Up to 180 ppb (version: Apple & Broccoli Puffs)
Mercury:
Up to 9.8 ppb (version: Banana Sweet Potato) Up to 10 ppb (version: Brown Rice Cereal Canister)
Lead:
Up to 10 ppb (version: Nurture vegetables and rice products) Up to 560 ppb (version: Multi-Grain Cereal Canister) Up to 641 ppb (version: Blueberry Purple Carrot)
Cadmium:
Up to 5 ppb (close to 65% of Nurture products) Up to 36 ppb (version: Strawberry Raspberry) Up to 49 ppb (version: Multi-Grain Cereal Canister)
Second Congressional Report
The House Subcommittee released a follow-up report in September 2021. (2) The new report showed that the companies continue to produce baby foods with dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic and other heavy metals, based on independent tests by the state of Alaska. (1)(2) The Subcommittee also called out these baby food companies for failure to notify the public of their heavy metal content or recall any of their tainted products. (2)
Lawsuit Against HappyTOT For Heavy Metal Content
The Ecological Alliance LLC in Los Angeles filed a class suit against Nurture Inc., the parent company of Happy Family Organics, for making products allegedly having dangerous levels of lead in June 2021: (10)
HappyTOT apple and spinach fruit snack bar HappyTOT cheese and spinach ravioli product
The lawsuit alleges that the apple and spinach fruit snack bar has “higher-than-acceptable” lead content, while the cheese and spinach ravioli contains over 12 times the daily limit of lead exposure for a child. (10) As the basis for the allegations on the excessive lead levels, the lawsuit cites “independent laboratory tests conducted recently on an array of food products.” (10) The lawsuit also includes Target and Whole Foods. (10)
HBBF Comprehensive Food Safety Test
The two Congressional reports weren’t the only ones that called popular baby food manufacturers for producing products with questionable content. The HBBF commissioned independent tests of 168 baby foods from 61 different brands in 2019. (11) The results showed that as much as 95% may have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (11)
Arsenic: 73% of the baby foods Lead: 94% of the baby foods Mercury: 32% of the baby foods Cadmium: 75% of the baby foods
What’s alarming is that 26% of the baby foods HBBF tested contain all four toxic chemicals in one container. (11) HBBF expressed alarm over these findings, explaining that exposure to heavy metals can harm your child’s body and brain development. (11) Pointing out the lack of known safe levels for heavy metal exposure, HBBF urges baby food makers to establish a goal of no measurable amounts of heavy metals for any baby and young children’s food. (11)
Is Happy BABY Organic Baby Food Safe?
These HappyBABY Organic products have alarmingly high toxic metal content based on the HBBF study: (11) Organic Rice Cakes Puffed Rice Snack (Apple)
Total arsenic: 455 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 47 ppb
Lead: 1.7 ppb
Cadmium: 5.4 ppb
Mercury: 3.18 ppb
Superfood Puffs Organic Grain Snack (Sweet Potato & Carrot)
Total arsenic: 295 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 91 ppb
Lead: 3.7 ppb
Cadmium: 12.2 ppb
Mercury: 1.94 ppb
Superfood Puffs – Apple & Broccoli Organic Grain Snack (Crawling Baby)
Total arsenic: 266 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 83 ppb
Lead: 8.2 ppb
Cadmium: 11 ppb
Mercury: 2.16 ppb
Organic Teethers Blueberry & Purple Carrot (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 67 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 6 ppb
Cadmium: 8.2 ppb
Mercury: 2.26 ppb
Oats & Quinoa Baby Cereal Organic Whole Grains with Iron (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 10.2 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 0.9 ppb
Cadmium: 12.4 ppb
Mercury: 0.14 ppb
Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Clearly Crafted – Organic Whole Grains (Sitting Baby)
Total arsenic: 6.3 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: <0.5 ppb
Cadmium: 10 ppb
Mercury: 0.14 ppb
Sweet Potatoes (Stage 1)
Total arsenic: 27.5 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: 29 ppb
Lead: 2 ppb
Cadmium: 1.6 ppb
Mercury: <0.141 ppb
Apples, Sweet Potatoes & Granola Clearly Crafted Organic Baby Food (Stage 2)
Total arsenic: 3.6 ppb
Inorganic arsenic: (not measurable)
Lead: 5.2 ppb
Cadmium: 1.5 ppb
Mercury: <0.142 ppb
Does Happy Baby Organic Formula Have Heavy Metals?
The following HappyBABY Organic Food products also have measurable toxic heavy metal content but are within government regulations: (11)
Organic Infant Formula with Iron (0-12 months) Organics Sweet Potatoes (Stage 1) Organic Pears (Stage 1) Clearly Crafted Prunes Organic Baby Food (Stage 1) Simple Combos Apples, Spinach & Kale (Stage 2)
Consumer Reports Food Safety Test
Consumer Reports tested 50 baby foods for heavy metals in 2018: (12)
Nearly 68% of baby foods may have high levels of at least one toxic metal. At least 15 baby foods can have potential health risks if eaten daily Products with sweet potatoes or rice may contain higher toxic metal levels Organic foods may have the same amount of heavy metals as conventional baby foods
Baby Foods With Limited Daily Intake
Based on their tests, these products are categorized as “more concern.” Parents are advised to follow these daily serving limits: (12) Happy Baby Organics
Organic Probiotic Baby Cereal (<3 servings) Organics Superfood Puffs, Apple & Broccoli (<1 serving) Organics Superfood Puffs, Purple Carrot & Blueberry (<1 serving)
Earth’s Best Organic
Chicken & Brown Rice (<1 serving) Sunny Days Snack Bars, Strawberry (<1 serving) Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal (<2.5 servings) Sweet Potatoes, 1st Stage (<0.5 serving) Whole Grain Rice Cereal (<1 serving)
Baby Mum-Mum
Banana Rice Rusks (<3 servings) Vegetable Rice Rusks (3 servings)
Beech-Nut
Classics Sweet Potatoes (<0.5 serving) Complete Rice Single Grain Baby Cereal (<3 servings) Complete Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings) Organic Oatmeal Whole Grain Baby Cereal (<2.5 servings)
Plum Organics
Little Yums Organic Teething Wafers, Pumpkin & Banana (<5.5 servings) Just Sweet Potato Organic Baby Food (<1 serving) Mighty Sticks Whole Grain Snacks, Berry Beet (<1.5 servings)
Gerber
Turkey & Rice (<1 serving) Lil’ Meals flavor White Turkey Stew With Rice and Vegetables (<0.5 serving) Carrot, Pear & Blackberry (<1 serving) Carrots Peas & Corn With Lil’ Bits (<1 serving) Oatmeal Single Grain Cereal (<2.5 servings) Organic Oatmeal Cereal (<2.5 servings) Graduates Arrowroot Cookies (<6 servings) Graduates Cinnamon Graham Animal Crackers (<4.5 servings) Graduates Banana Cookies (<4 servings) Graduates Waffle Wheels Puffed Grain Snack, Banana Cream (<3 servings) Graduates Lil’ Biscuits Vanilla Wheat (<2.5 servings) Graduates Cereal Bars, Strawberry Banana (<1.5 servings)
Parent’s Choice (Walmart)
Little Puffs Cereal Snack, Strawberry Apple (<1.5 servings)
Sprout Organic
Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack, Apple Kale (<1.5 servings) Garden Vegetables Brown Rice With Turkey (<1 serving)
Baby Foods With No Daily Limits
Because they have low levels of heavy metals, based on the same report, these products are categorized as “less concern” (no daily limits): (2)(12) Happy Baby Organics
Purple Carrots, Bananas, Avocados & Quinoa
Ella’s Kitchen
Apples + Strawberries Nibbly Fingers
Gerber
Graduates Puffs Cereal Snack, Strawberry Apple Lil’ Beanies Baked Snack Made With Beans, White Cheddar & Broccoli Lil’ Crunchies Baked Corn Snack Mild Cheddar Lil’ Crunchies Baked Corn Snack Vanilla Maple Organic Puffs, Puffed Grain Snack, Apple Lil’ Entrées Chicken & Brown Rice With Peas & Corn Grabbers Strong Veggies, Broccoli, Carrot, Banana, Pineapple Organic Peas, Carrots & Beets Breakfast Buddies Hot Cereal With Real Fruit, Apple Cinnamon
Beech-Nut
Classics Apple, Pear & Banana Naturals Carrot, Broccoli, Apple & Strawberry Organic Just Apple & Green Beans Organic Peas, Green Beans, and Avocado Quinoa Crispies, Vanilla
Other Companies In The Congressional Report On Toxic Baby Foods
Aside from Nurture, Inc., these baby food makers were also listed on the Congressional reports: (1)(2)
Campbell Soup Company (Plum Organics) Results
These test results for Plum Organics Organic Baby Food (flavor: Just Sweet Potato) are from an HBBF (Healthy Babies Bright Futures) report: (11) Mercury:
Less than 0.142 ppb
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 3.1 ppb
Lead:
Up to 5.6 ppb (exceeds the 5-ppb limit)
Cadmium:
Up to 2.3 ppb
In the second Congressional Report, Plum Organics’ test results were finally included. But these showed much higher levels of arsenic and other toxic metals than the HBBF data: (2)
Arsenic: Over 200 ppb arsenic (in 100% of Plum’s Super Puff rice-based products) Lead: Over 5 ppb lead (in 54.5% of Plum Organics products) Cadmium: Over 5 ppb cadmium (in 38.3% of Plum Organics products)
Gerber Products Company
Gerber only conducts heavy metal tests in raw materials, not finished products. (1) Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 90 ppb (ingredient: rice flour)
Lead:
Up to 48 ppb (ingredient: sweet potatoes)
Cadmium:
Over 5 ppb in carrots (in 75% of raw ingredients) Up to 87 ppb (ingredient: carrot batches) No test for cadmium (other raw materials)
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic)
Hain told the Subcommittee Report that it doesn’t test for heavy metals in finished products. Instead, “theoretical calculations” are based on the ingredients’ results. (1) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 309 ppb (for ingredients) Up to 129 ppb (for finished products)
Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Lead:
Up to 352 ppb (for raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 260 ppb (for ingredients)
Walmart Inc. (Parent’s Choice)
Walmart reportedly refused to provide the Subcommittee with results or internal standards. The following results are from HBBF: (1)(11) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 108 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks) Up to 56.1 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Mercury:
Up to 2.05 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks) Up to 0.941 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Lead:
Up to 26.9 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks)
Up to 5.2 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack)
Cadmium:
Up to 26.1 ppb (version: Little Hearts Strawberry Yogurt Cereal Snack) Up to 2.4 ppb (version: Organic Strawberry Rice Rusks)
Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Foods)
According to the Subcommittee, the company never responded. These test results for Organic Quinoa Puffs Baby Cereal Snack (Apple Kale) are from the HBBF report: (1)(11) Inorganic Arsenic:
Up to 107 ppb
Mercury:
Up to 1.31 ppb
Lead:
Up to 39.3 ppb
Cadmium:
Up to 41.5 ppb
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company (Beech-Nut)
Mercury:
No test for mercury.
Inorganic Arsenic:
More than 300 ppb (in ingredients or additives used in various products) Up to 913.4 ppb (in raw materials)
Lead:
Up to 886.9 ppb (in raw materials)
Cadmium:
Up to 344.55 ppb (in raw materials)
Which Baby Food Is Safest?
These may be some of the best organic baby foods that may be a healthier alternative for these commercial products:
Yumi (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Spoon (subscription-based organic baby food) Little Journey Organics Once Upon A Farm Serenity Kids
Preparing Healthier Alternatives At Home
Considering that many baby foods readily available on supermarket shelves may have high levels of toxic metal content, some parents opt to make their children’s food at home. If you plan on making your baby’s food at home, you may try the following ingredients: (2)
Quality meats, poultry, or fish Healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, or ghee) Whole or puree vegetables and fruits (avocados, apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, and strawberries) but avoid processed fruit juices Applesauce (unsweetened) Organic eggs Bone broth Raw yogurt Coconut yogurt Quinoa Oats
REFERENCES (1) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf (2) https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/ECP%20Second%20Baby%20Food%20Report%209.29.21%20FINAL.pdf (3) https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/01/fda-acts-quickly-with-baby-food-warning/ (4) https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/bars-quality-and-safety/ (5) https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/bars-quality-and-safety/ (6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570911/ (7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/ (8) https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements (9) https://www.epa.gov/mercury/what-epa-doing-reduce-mercury-pollution-and-exposures-mercury (10) https://www.fox5ny.com/news/high-lead-levels-found-in-2-happy-tot-baby-food-products-lawsuit-alleges (11) http://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf (12) https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/heavy-metals-in-baby-food/
