The chairman of the Food and Drug Administration called on Congress to enact legislation that would require food manufacturers to conduct testing on their products for lead and other hazardous chemicals.
During the House Committee of Oversight and Accountability on Thursday, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking member of the House Committee, questioned the FDA about its course of action regarding various products, particularly the lead-contaminated cinnamon applesauce pouches that resulted in numerous children falling ill. Raskin, who is also a father, shared that his own children consumed a significant amount of cinnamon applesauce when they were younger, and expressed his concern about the FDA’s plans to regulate such products. He directed his query specifically to Dr. Robert Califf, the FDA chairman, in hopes of gaining insight into the agency’s intended actions.
Raskin questioned why private manufacturing facilities producing products like cinnamon applesauce or peanut butter are not thoroughly inspected.
Califf compared the role of leaders in Congress to players in a sports game, while likening the FDA to referees in these matters.
The FDA can be best understood as referees, according to Calif. Congress, on the other hand, is responsible for writing the rulebook, similar to any sport. The leadership drafts the rules, and the FDA enforces them. In the case of food establishments, the industry that produces the products serves as the first line of defense, much like players in a game.
In order to prevent harmful chemicals and metals from being present in children’s food, manufacturers should adopt a testing approach similar to that used in the drug industry, according to Califf.
“The drug manufacturers are required to conduct testing on every batch. In the case of cinnamon applesauce, if there had been mandatory testing when it was imported into the US from Ecuador, it is likely that the stores selling it would have detected any issues at that point,” Califf explained.
Califf strongly supported the idea of making it mandatory to test children’s food products and granting the FDA the authority to regulate them.
Is there lead in Lunchables?: What you should know after Consumer Reports issued guidance to the USDA
Consumer Reports recently provided guidance to the USDA regarding the potential presence of lead in Lunchables. This has raised concerns among consumers, who are now wondering if their favorite convenience snack contains this harmful substance.
Consumer Reports urges USDA to remove Lunchables from school menus over lead concerns
The FDA chairman’s statement follows recent concerns raised by Consumer Reports regarding Lunchables’ inclusion in the National School Lunch Program. Consumer Reports highlighted the “higher levels of sodium” and “high levels of lead” found in the food kits, prompting their call for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove Lunchables from the program.
According to Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, Lunchables should not be considered a healthy choice for children and should not be included in the National School Lunch Program. In a statement, he expressed concern about the high levels of sodium and harmful chemicals found in Lunchables and similar lunch kits, which can have long-term negative effects on children’s health. Consumer Reports has even launched a petition to the USDA to address this issue.
Kraft Heinz, the owner of Lunchables, expressed their disappointment with the reporting from Consumer Reports in an email statement to USA TODAY on Thursday. They believe that the study’s results are misleading and have caused unnecessary concern over the safety of their products, which they take very seriously.
WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit pouches recalled over lead contamination
The FDA chairman also brought up the recall of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit pouches in October 2023. This particular recall affected over 400 children in almost all 50 states, causing them to become ill.
The FDA made an announcement on February 6, stating that the applesauce pouches were found to have lead. This was attributed to a single cinnamon processor.
The FDA previously conducted tests on samples of cinnamon used in WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit pouches. These tests revealed that the cinnamon contained higher than normal levels of lead, as well as the presence of chromium.
Coalition of attorney generals fight for regulation of lead, other toxins in children’s food
The FDA chairman’s plea for lead testing resonates with attorney generals from various states in the U.S. who have come together to form a coalition. In a letter dated February 15th, the coalition, comprising 20 attorney generals, urged the FDA to promptly address the issue of safeguarding infants and children from lead and other harmful metals present in baby food.
In October 2021, the coalition submitted a petition urging the FDA to provide clear guidance to the baby food industry. The proposed guidance would mandate the testing of all children’s food products for lead and other harmful metals, as highlighted in the press release.
Ahjané Forbes, a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY, covers a wide range of topics including breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery, and public policy stories. For any inquiries or news tips, feel free to reach out to her at [email protected]. You can also follow her on Instagram, Threads, and X @forbesfineest to stay updated with her latest work.
The Chairman of the FDA is urging Congress to pass a law that would require mandatory testing for lead and other harmful chemicals in our food. This is an important step in ensuring the safety of our food supply and protecting the health of consumers. Lead and other harmful chemicals can have serious health consequences, especially for children and pregnant women. By implementing mandatory testing, we can identify and remove contaminated food products from the market, preventing potential harm to the public. It is crucial that we take action to address this issue and prioritize the health and well-being of our communities.
