34% of Conventional Baby Food Contains Pesticides

Earlier this month, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published an updated version of their 1995 study on pesticides in baby food. Data revealed that while some threats have been eliminated, there are still pesticides in conventional baby food. In comparison, pesticides were detected in 0% of organic baby food samples.

“Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks posed by pesticides in food – and food is the way most children will be exposed to pesticides,” said Sydney Evans, EWG senior science analyst and co-author of the report, in the press release. “EWG’s new investigation provides vital recommendations for parents and caregivers looking to limit children’s daily pesticide exposure.”

For context, the 1995 study found 16 pesticides in baby food, with approximately 53% of samples including at least one pesticide. The EWG conducted a follow-up study to evaluate how advocacy efforts and regulatory changes have impacted the safety of these products.

The organization looked at 73 product samples — 15 organic and 58 conventional — selecting samples from three popular brands, including Beech-Nut, Gerber, and Parent’s Choice.

Focusing on the organic brands, none of the samples contained any pesticides. Comparatively, 22 of the 58 traditional brands, 38%, had one or more pesticides, a 15% decline from the previous study.

Among the samples that contained pesticides, the EWG identified nine different types, noting that they were less dangerous than the pesticides detected in the previous study.

Approximately 11 of the products contained captan or its breakdown product, tetrahydrophthalimide, which may be a carcinogen, according to the EWG.

Acetamiprid and fludioxonil were detected in five products. Acetamiprid may be linked to nervous system damage or reproductive toxicity. Meanwhile, fludioxonil exposure may be linked to insufficient fetal development, immune system changes, and hormone disruptions.

Primethanil, which may impact the reproductive system, was found in four products. Imidacloprid was detected in three products. Researchers hypothesize that imidacloprid can harm fetal nervous systems or damage immune and reproductive systems.

Chlorantraniliprole, dodine, and propiconazole were each in one product, while methoxyfenozide was in two. However, these compounds' toxicity and health effects still need to be determined.

“Any pesticide residue in baby food is concerning, but parents should feel reassured that some of the most toxic chemicals we found in our 1995 study are no longer being detected,” concluded Evans.