How to Test for Heavy Metals in Baby Formula
Heavy Metals such as Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and others can be especially harmful to infants when consumed in their formula. But why are these heavy metals harmful to children and how can you test to make sure that your baby’s formula is safe?
Why are Children more susceptible to Heavy Metals?
Infants and young children have rapidly developing brains, which make them more susceptible to neurotoxins, which many heavy metals are classified as. This can lead to several problems including:
- Behavioral issues, including ADHD and other attention disorders
- Learning problems
- Growth and developmental delays
- Increased risk of cancer
Another factor is that children are more likely to be exposed to heavy metals through other sources. This is because children are more likely to put objects in their mouth. Or crawl on the ground and be outdoors then put their hands in their mouth. These other sources add to the heavy metals that children are consuming in their food or formula.
Infants also consume more food relative to their body weight, meaning that any contaminants are going to be consumed at a higher proportion than an adult.
Effects of Different Heavy Metals:
Aluminum: Has been associated with anemia, impaired bone formation, disorders in the digestive, respiratory, and immune systems, as well as neurotoxic effects.
Arsenic: Exposure can lead to lower IQ, impaired brain development, breathing issues, and a compromised immune system.
Cadmium: Linked to cognitive issues like ADHD. Also linked to cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, and some types of cancer.
Chromium: Infant Formula will often contain more chromium than human milk, while hopefully staying within safe levels. It is considered an essential nutrient but in excessive levels can cause digestive issues. There is a difference between trivalent chromium which is an essential nutrient, and hexavalent chromium which is toxic.
Copper: Many brands of formula are fortified with copper, and some water supplies have level concentrations of copper. But high levels can lead to liver damage, gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting, and potential developmental concerns in infants. Copper is an essential nutrient and only poses risk at high levels.
Iron: Many brands of formula are fortified with iron, and it is important to infant development. But in elevated levels it can impair how other nutrient absorbed, like zinc and copper. Copper is an essential nutrient and only poses risk at high levels.
Lead: High Levels of lead in children can lead to long-term damage. Including lower IQ, slowed growth, and behavioral issues.
Manganese: While an essential nutrient, Manganese is a neurotoxin at high levels. In infants it has been associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes that include reduced IQ, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Sodium: Elevated levels of sodium in infants can lead to issues such as brain shrinkage and kidney damage. This can be caused by improper formula preparation and dehydration.
Zinc: Some zinc in formula is considered safe, but in elevated levels it can have negative health effects. These include lower iron and copper absorption, and gastrointestinal problems like vomiting.
How much of a Heavy Metal is too much in formula?
When it comes to infant formula, the EPA has not set strict guidelines for formula itself. But they have set safe limits for drinking water. This means the numbers above aren’t exact recommendations for infant formula but can be used as a reference for what the EPA set for drinking water.
While Arsenic and Lead do have EPA Maximum Contaminant Limits, there are technically no safe limits for Lead and Arsenic. Especially for infants who are more susceptible to negative effects from ingesting heavy metals.
How to Test Infant Formula for Heavy Metals
To test baby formula for heavy metals, the best kit is the Safe Home Heavy Metals Test Kit. This kit will test for all of the previously mentioned heavy metals in any water-based liquid, including baby formula.
Safe Home® Metals in Water Based Liquids Test Kit allows you to send in a sample of your formula and have it tested at our EPA-Certified Laboratory. This test will give you the exact concentrations of each of these heavy metals and undergoes rigorous quality control.
You can also do this with any other water-based liquid you are concerned about, including drinking water, fruit juices, and milk.
FDA’s Closer to Zero Initiative
In 2021, the FDA launched the Closer to Zero Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to reduce dietary exposure to contaminants in foods commonly eaten by babies and young children. The FDA is specifically focusing on arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
The Closer to Zero Initiative conducts surveys and research on these foods and then creates new testing methods to be able to measure exact concentrations of contaminants.
The FDA is also establishing new action levels for these heavy metals as well as increasing enforcement. In addition to this testing and enforcement they are also offering consultation for the agricultural and food processing industry to reduce exposure.
What to do if your Infant Formula if high in Heavy Metals
If you get your infant formula has a high concentration of heavy metals, there are a few steps you can take.
The first is switching to distilled or RO water. In many cases, the formula may not be the cause of the heavy metals, but it may be in your water that you are mixing with the formula powder. If you have an elevated level of heavy metals in your water, then even the cleanest formula will still have those heavy metals in the final mixture. In many instances, distilled water can be purchased at any grocery store for only a few dollars for a gallon.
If you are already using filtered water that you are confident is free of heavy metals, you will want to try changing which formula you are using. Or if you are using a pre-mixed formula, you will want to try a different brand or product line.
If you do not know which brand of formula to try, most doctors will recommend brands that are vetted and are known to be safe for infants.
If you have any questions about getting your formula tested for Heavy Metals or interrupting your results, we’d be happy to help. Contact us here.
Order your Safe Home® Metals in Water Based Liquids Test Kit today.
