Has Baby Food With Toxic Heavy Metals Harmed Your Child?

 Posted on January 15, 2025 in Defective Products

For the first four to six months, babies get their nutrients from breast milk or formula. Rice cereal is often one of the first solid foods introduced into a baby’s diet, with various baby foods following soon afterward. The vitamins and minerals contained in these foods are important components in child development. At the same time, harmful or toxic substances ingested by infants can cause significant problems.

Did you know that multiple companies producing and selling baby food are named in product liability lawsuits? These suits allege that baby foods containing heavy metals are directly responsible for many children developing ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. If you believe that contaminated baby food harmed your child, call a knowledgeable Palatine, IL personal injury lawyer right away.

What Heavy Metals Have Been Found in Baby Food?

Various substances are found naturally in the environment, and exposure to low levels is not necessarily dangerous. However, infants’ bodies are smaller and still developing, making any exposure potentially disastrous. Testing multiple brands of baby food, including organic brands, has revealed the presence of:

• Arsenic, which has been linked with autism, infections, increased cancer risks, developmental delays, and other neurodevelopmental issues

• Cadmium, which can lead to cognitive deficits, impaired physiological and neurobehavioral development, anemia, and kidney, liver, lung, nerve, bone, and brain damage

• Lead, potentially causing nervous system and brain damage, learning disabilities, slowed development and growth, speech and hearing issues, and ADHD

• Mercury, which is associated with brain and nerve damage, sight and hearing problems, cognitive issues, ADHD, and fine motor skill challenges

Other adverse effects are also possible. This problem is so severe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration introduced the "Closer to Zero" program to improve testing and reduce contamination in baby foods, among other related goals.

How Do I Know if My Child Was Harmed by Contaminated Baby Food?

If your child has developmental issues, autism, ADHD, severe behavioral issues, learning disabilities, or another similar disorder, and ate baby food you believe may have been contaminated, ask your pediatrician if there could be a link. You should also contact our office as soon as possible.

Baby food brands that have been named in lawsuits for having products that were contaminated with heavy metals include Gerber, Nurture, Sprout Foods, Beech-Nut, Hain Celestial Group, Plum Organics, and Walmart. However, if your child ate other types of baby food and developed problems, let us know.

We know the kinds of evidence you will need to prove the cause-and-effect nature of unsafe baby food and your child’s issues. We also know how to accurately evaluate your eligible damages, which might be substantial. Finally, we will work hard to help you get as much compensation as you deserve.

Request Your Free Consultation With Our Dedicated Arlington Heights, IL Defective Product Attorneys

If contaminated baby food harmed your child, you deserve compensation. Call Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000 or contact us online today to speak with one of our skilled Rolling Meadows, IL personal injury lawyers.