The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance regarding lead levels in processed foods for babies and young children under the age of 2.
The guidance applies to “foods in jars, pouches, tubs or boxes and may include ready-to-eat foods such as purees, as well as semi-prepared foods,” said a Jan. 6 update from the agency.
For fruits, vegetables, mixtures (including those based on grains or meats), single-ingredient meats, custards/puddings, and yogurts, the lead threshold is 10 parts per billion (ppb). For single-ingredient root vegetables and dry infant cereals, the limit is 20 ppb.
While these limits are not “binding” for food manufacturers, the FDA said it plans to consider these numbers along with other information “when considering whether to bring enforcement action in a particular case.”…