Consumer Reports Says There’s Concerning Levels of Lead Found in Popular Veggie Puffs

Recent findings from Consumer Reports reveal that some veggie puffs marketed as healthy alternatives for children contain concerning levels of lead, a heavy metal linked to developmental disabilities. The report, released on Wednesday, highlights that certain brands of cassava-based veggie puffs, specifically those from Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids, have excessive lead levels, making even a single serving potentially unhealthy.

Veggie puffs, designed to make vegetables like beets, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes appealing to kids, are often viewed as a healthier snack option. However, the report warns parents about the hidden dangers of these products. Among the 80 baby foods tested by Consumer Reports since 2017, Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend had the highest lead content per serving.

James E. Rogers, head of food safety testing at Consumer Reports, advised limiting children’s consumption of these products. He recommended less than half a serving per day for the Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend and no more than 1.5 servings daily for Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Sweet Potato Apple Asteroid and Serenity Kids’ Tomato & Herb Bone Broth puffs. Previous tests have shown that rice-based snacks can be high in arsenic, prompting some manufacturers to switch to other starches like cassava and sorghum.

Interestingly, sorghum-based snacks from Once Upon a Farm, co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner, were found to have very low levels of lead. These snacks were among the lowest in lead content across all baby foods tested by Consumer Reports.

Rogers emphasized the need for manufacturers to reduce heavy metals in their products, particularly those made with cassava. Macarena Rizzo, a concerned parent, expressed her disappointment upon learning about the lead levels in veggie puffs she had given to her 15-month-old daughter, feeling misled by the healthy branding of these snacks.

While parents are advised not to panic, they should be aware that continuous exposure to small amounts of lead from food and other environmental sources can accumulate over time, potentially leading to developmental issues such as lower IQ, ADHD, and autism.

Both Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids defended their products, stating that they comply with regulatory standards. Lesser Evil highlighted its commitment to creating cleaner, natural products and emphasized that its products meet federal and California Proposition 65 safety standards. Serenity Kids echoed this sentiment, asserting confidence in the safety and quality of their products.

Related Content:

• Consumer Reports Warns of Dangerous Plastic Chemicals in General Mills Products
• Consumer Reports Urges General Mills to Cut Out Plastic Chemicals in Popular Products
• There’s “Widespread” Plastic in Food According to Consumer Reports
• The U.S. is the Biggest Consumer of Food in the World – and Wastes More Than 22 Other Countries

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!