FDA to propose limits on arsenic and lead in baby food

The Food and Drug Administration plans to propose limits on arsenic, lead and mercury in baby food, with the agency taking action two months after a congressional report found products from several of the country's largest manufacturers "tainted" with toxic heavy metals.

While the FDA has established acceptable levels of inorganic arsenic in bottled water, it doesn't regulate metals in infant and toddler food other than, starting last year, arsenic in rice cereal. "We recognize that Americans want zero toxic elements in the foods eaten by their babies and young children. In reality, because these elements occur in our air, water and soil, there are limits to how low these levels can be," the agency stated. "The FDA's goal, therefore, is to reduce the levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in these foods to the greatest extent possible."