The lawsuit alleges Noah Cantabrana, after consuming high quantities of baby food products, developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The following companies, it is alleged, knowingly sells baby foods that contain dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury:
• Beech-Nut Nutrition Company of New York
• Gerber Products Company of Michigan
• Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) of New York
• Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics and HappyBABY) of New York
• Plum PBC (Plum Organics) of California
• Sprout Foods, Inc. of New Jersey
• Walmart, Inc. (Parent’s Choice) of Arkansas
• Beech-Nut Nutrition Company of New York
• Gerber Products Company of Michigan
• Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic) of New York
• Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics and HappyBABY) of New York
• Plum PBC (Plum Organics) of California
• Sprout Foods, Inc. of New Jersey
• Walmart, Inc. (Parent’s Choice) of Arkansas
Melissa Cantabrana, Noah's mother, said, "We as parents have the right to know what is in the foods we give our kids." Adding, "These companies deprived us of that right by not properly labeling their products to warn about the presence of heavy metals. It’s shameful and they need to be held accountable."
Consumer attorneys Pedram Esfandiary and R. Brent Wisner from the law firm of Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, intend to show, through a series of experts in the areas of epidemiology, toxicology and neurology, the association between exposure to heavy metals and ASD/ADHD
Back in 2019, a report in which 'Healthy Babies, Bright Futures' tested 168 foods purchased from major baby food manufacturers found 95% of store-bought baby food contained lead, 73% contained arsenic, 75% contained cadmium and 32% contained mercury.
A 2021 Congressional report found that most baby food manufacturers did not test their finished products at all. Instead, they tested only individual ingredients and used those results to estimate the toxic heavy metal levels in their finished products.
A 2021 Congressional report found that most baby food manufacturers did not test their finished products at all. Instead, they tested only individual ingredients and used those results to estimate the toxic heavy metal levels in their finished products.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come under fire for not acting quick enough to reduce the levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in baby foods. Their 'Closer to Zero action plan' aims to evaluate the scientific basis for "action levels" or standards for toxic metals in various baby foods. These proposals and finalized decisions are expected to happen through at least 2024.
The Noah Cantabrana complaint can be read, in full, here.
Here's a fascinating interview with Consumer attorney, Pedram Esfandiary, where he speaks about the manufacturers of baby food knowingly selling products with dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals.
Bob Fiddaman
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