FDA released its final guidance for industry Action Levels for Lead in Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children.

This guidance provides the action levels for lead in processed food intended for babies and young children. The FDA defines processed food as “packaged food (e.g., in jars, pouches, tubs, or boxes) represented or purported to be for babies and young children less than two years old. It may include ready-to-eat foods (e.g., purees) as well as semi-prepared foods (i.e., dry infant cereals).”

The action levels for processed foods intended for babies and young children are as follows:

• 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain- and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats;
• 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables;  and
• 20 ppb for dry infant cereals.

If growers of sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and other leafy greens, apples (pears), and grapes have any questions about this document or anything related to Closer to Zero, please contact [email protected]

Note: The FDA has stated “The action levels in this guidance are not intended to direct consumers in making food choices. To support child growth and development, we recommend parents and caregivers feed children a varied and nutrient-dense diet across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods.”