Heavy metals in baby food during starting solids: how to reduce exposure without stress

Written by Tim Benik, Pediatrician and Advisor at Bébé Foodie

 

There are many external factors for parents to worry about regarding their baby’s health. Factors as varied as the right car seat, the right moisturizer, the perfect in-home temperature, starting solids, and avoiding exposure to infectious diseases.

An emerging factor in terms of awareness that parents now often ask about is environmental exposures, in particular, heavy metal exposure. While the increased awareness is a positive aspect, the results are far from that.

Within the past 10 years, numerous consumer reports, government investigations, and scientific studies have shown heavy metal exposure and elevated levels to be a significant public health concern. These exposures have been seen in everyday food items such as fruits and vegetables, and most concerning, heavy metals in baby food.

What are heavy metals in baby food, and where do they come from?

Let’s begin with some basic science and explain what exactly heavy metals are. Heavy metals are a group of naturally occurring metallic elements of high molecular weight and density.

Essential vs non-essential heavy metals (and why that distinction matters)

There are:

• Essential heavy metals, such as iron, zinc, and copper
  
  

• Non-essential heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic
  
  

The non-essential heavy metals will be the focus of this post.

It is important to note that essential heavy metals at high doses can be just as unwanted as non-essential heavy metals. While the route of exposure varies depending on the specific heavy metal, the majority come into contact with these metals via our food and water industry.

Lead in baby food during starting solids

Out of all the non-essential heavy metals, lead is likely to be the one that parents are most aware of. It is the only heavy metal that is routinely tested for and has the most robust literature detailing the concerns with elevated levels in the body.

Lead is naturally found in the Earth’s crust and circulates via industrial processing, such as mining. Most notably, it was a feature of old paints used in homes built pre-1978. Today, most associate it with our water industry, where old lead piping is still utilized in many areas.

Where lead exposure can come from for babies and toddlers

Industrial activity leads to an increase of lead in the soil, and this is the main route of consumption. Given the potential of contaminated soil, root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, and potatoes are of high concern. And these vegetables are ones used in commercial baby foods. 

Even more worrisome, spices, such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika, have much higher concentrations of lead and are often imported from countries with less stringent environmental policies.

How higher lead levels may affect infant and toddler development

While there are numerous clinical findings with elevated lead levels, the most alarming findings relate to neurodevelopment. Infants and toddlers with clinically significant lead levels can have:

• Gross motor delays
  
  

• Speech delay
  
  

• Poor cognitive development
  
  

• Early onset of ADHD symptoms
  
  

While no lead level is deemed safe and ideally no one has detectable blood lead levels, a degree of reassurance is prudent. Most labs have a cutoff of 1.5 mcg/dL and are unable to detect lead under this value. Given the realities of living in 21st century America, parents should not stress as long as the value is not greater than 1.5 mcg/dL.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends routine testing at 12 and 24 months of age.

Mercury in baby food and fish when starting solids

Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in water, air, rock, and soil. There are several forms of mercury, with its inorganic form being most relevant to humans.

Inorganic mercury gets converted to organic mercury in the soil and sediment of water (rivers, lakes, oceans) and is taken up by organisms, with increasing concentration seen in large predatory fish such as shark, swordfish, and big eye tuna. The FDA sets a targeted value of less than 1.0 ppm.

Where mercury exposure can come from during starting solids

For babies and young children, mercury exposure most commonly relates to fish intake. This can happen in a few ways:

• Eating certain higher-mercury fish directly as finger foods or purées

• Exposure through commercial baby foods that include fish or seafood ingredients

• Prenatal exposure related to maternal intake during pregnancy

It’s important to note that not all fish are treated the same. Many commonly recommended fish for babies, such as salmon, are naturally low in mercury and provide important nutrients that support brain development.

How mercury exposure may affect infants and young children

Similar to lead, the prominent clinical findings involve the neurologic system. Motor and sensory impairment are common, and in severe cases, seizures and significant cognitive deficits can occur. The more severe symptoms usually reflect chronic prenatal exposure.

While maternal levels are often very high, it is not uncommon for these women to be asymptomatic. Unlike lead, mercury is not routinely tested, but there are many unique ways to test, including blood mercury testing, cord blood testing to assess prenatal exposure, and hair testing to evaluate chronic mercury exposure.

When mercury exposure is typically a concern for infants

Parents can be reassured that mercury toxicity is overall uncommon and testing is limited to concern for high-risk seafood intake. If testing is done, it is crucial to make sure a child’s level does not exceed 5.8 mcg/L.

Arsenic in baby food, with a closer look at rice

Arsenic is a heavy metal that has been frequently mentioned in the news over the past 5 years, not for the right reasons, unfortunately. Globally, water is the most common source of arsenic in humans. However, in the United States, food is the most common source.

The foods most commonly contaminated include:

• Seafood
  

• Rice
  
  

The form of arsenic differs by source:

• Seafood contains organic arsenic
  

• Rice contains inorganic arsenic, which is toxic

Why rice-based baby foods often raise arsenic questions

Due to persistent elevations of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals, the AAP has recommended oatmeal and pureed vegetables as substitutes to rice.

Acute arsenic exposure can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Chronic exposure can result in poor growth and neurodevelopmental deficits, and there has also been a link with cancers later in life.

What we know about arsenic exposure in infants

Testing has been restricted to known exposure or high clinical suspicion, as there are limitations to the workup. Urinary arsenic testing does not differentiate between organic and inorganic forms, and there are no universally accepted reference values for arsenic.

Ways to lower heavy metal exposure when feeding baby foods

There are many ways for parents to limit their young child’s exposure to these heavy metals.

Simple environmental and nutrition steps that can help reduce lead exposure

In regard to lead, the most important aspect of decreasing exposure is to know the age of the house. Homes built before 1978 will require a public health evaluation for lead-based paint and proper removal if necessary.

To prevent introduction of lead from the outside (contaminated soil), it is important to have shoes taken off as soon as one enters the home.

Nutritionally, calcium and iron are important as they both block intestinal absorption of lead. Adequate intake and prompt correction of deficiencies are crucial.

Choosing fish in a way that supports nutrition and limits mercury

Prevention of mercury exposure is more straightforward. Avoiding high-risk fish is paramount for infants, toddlers, and pregnant and nursing mothers.

It is important to note that low mercury fish, such as salmon, should not be avoided and that being overly fearful of mercury exposure can limit the intake of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Reducing arsenic exposure from rice and water, without cutting foods out entirely

Outside of eliminating rice in a baby’s diet, there are several practical ways parents can help limit inorganic arsenic exposure while still offering a varied, balanced diet.

Some approaches that may help include:

• Washing rice thoroughly before cooking, which can reduce surface arsenic if rice is part of your family’s routine

• Supporting adequate B vitamin intake, particularly folate, which has been shown to help the body eliminate arsenic

• Testing well water when applicable, as water quality can be an additional source of exposure for some families

It’s also helpful to know that brown rice tends to contain higher levels of arsenic than white rice, due to deposition in the outer hull of the grain. While brown rice offers a robust micronutrient profile, this is one reason many families choose to rotate grains rather than rely on rice as a daily staple.

Serving a variety of foods when starting solids

One of the most effective ways to limit exposure to any single heavy metal during starting solids is to offer a wide variety of foods over time. Rotating foods naturally reduces the chance of repeated exposure from one source, while also supporting nutrient diversity and skill development.

This approach can work no matter how you feed your baby:

• Commercial baby foods can be part of a balanced routine, especially when brands offer varied ingredients and rotate produce, grains, and proteins.

• Homemade purées allow families to vary textures and ingredients based on what’s available and practical at home.

• Baby-led weaning and finger foods naturally encourage food variety, as babies are exposed to different flavors, textures, and food groups from the start.

What matters most isn’t the format of the food, but the pattern over time. A varied diet helps spread exposure, supports nutritional balance, and allows feeding to stay relaxed rather than restrictive.

Using third-party testing as an optional tool when choosing baby foods

For some families, having a bit of extra information can feel reassuring when choosing commercial baby foods. The Clean Label Project is one resource parents may find helpful. The organization independently tests food products—including baby foods—for heavy metals and other contaminants, and shares its findings publicly.

Using third-party testing can be one way to support decision-making, especially for families who rely on store-bought foods or want added transparency. Like many aspects of starting solids, this is a personal choice—meant to complement a varied, balanced diet rather than replace it.

A calmer, balanced way to think about heavy metals and starting solids

The parental approach to heavy metal exposure for infants and toddlers needs to be a balanced one psychologically. While it is important to be aware of these harmful agents and be vigilant of their place in day-to-day life, complete avoidance is impossible.

When discussing with parents in the office, I encourage them to keep this information in mind, and to be positive and not feel defeated in battling what has unfortunately become societal norms.

References:

Pediatric Nutrition 8th ed. Chapter 52: “Food Safety: Pesticides, Industrial Chemicals, Toxins, Antimicrobial Preservatives, Irradiation, and Food Contact Substances” 2020.

Integrative Medicine 5th ed. Chapter 105: “Chelation Therapy” Drisko. 2023.

 

Written by Dr. Tim Benik, DO

Pediatrician & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Dr. Timothy Benik is a board-certified pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic with a background in both general pediatrics and integrative medicine. A fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Benik brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to child nutrition. At Bébé Foodie, he serves as a trusted advisor, helping parents navigate safe and enjoyable feeding practices. He’s passionate about making the food journey a positive experience for both kids and caregivers.

This blog post is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as personal, health, nutritional, or medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician before making any decisions about your child's health or readiness for various foods.