Two “healthy” brands of chips aimed at children contain dangerous levels of a toxic heavy metal that can make them sick, a report reveals.
Watchdog Consumer Reports found that plant-based snacks made by Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids contained “concerning” amounts of lead, which is linked to lower IQ, ADHD and even autism.
The FDA has stated that there is no safe level of lead for children, whose brains are still developing.
The chips are made from cassava, a potato-like tuber, which may have accumulated lead in contaminated soil during the mining and farming process, according to the report.
Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blends Puffs had more lead per serving than any of the 80 baby foods the advocacy group has tested since 2017.
Lesser Evil’s Sweet Apple and Sweet Potato Lil’ Puffs Asteroid also contained high levels of lead, according to the report.
Processing cassava into flour for making into snacks can “potentially concentrate lead more than eating it fresh,” according to the report, potentially because the vegetable comes into contact with metal equipment.
Concerning amounts of lead were detected in the Lesser Evil puff products tested and one from Serenity Kids, according to the report.
Both brands can be purchased throughout the United States at stores such as Amazon, Whole Foods, and Target. Lesser Evil can also be found at Walmart and CVS.
Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blends Puffs had 112 percent of the maximum allowable dosage level of lead in California, the most protective standards available in the US.
The puffs had more lead per serving than any of the 80 baby foods the advocacy group has tested since 2017.
Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs, Sweet Potato, Apple, Asteroid, and Serenity Kids Herb Tomato Bone Broth also showed high levels of lead, with one serving of the Lesser Evil containing 60 percent of the maximum allowable dosage level and the Serenity Kids product that contained 53. percent.
Serenity Kids Tomato Herb Bone Broth Puffs Also Showed High Levels of Lead
Snacks can be seen as a healthier option than sugar-laden treats and as a way for children to get their vegetables.
On the other hand, very low levels of lead were found in products made from sorghum, a gluten-free grain, which Consumer Reports said was a good thing.
“Clearly, some manufacturers need to do a better job of keeping heavy metals out of their snacks, and there may be some particular concerns about foods made with cassava,” said James Rogers, head of food safety testing at Consumer Reports.
Some studies have shown that cassava and other vegetables such as sweet potatoes may have high levels of lead.
The metal is found naturally in the social environment or can be deposited there through pollution, which accumulates in the roots of plants.
It is well known that lead is dangerous to humans, causing memory loss, abdominal pain, and low mood in adults after prolonged exposure.
In children, heavy metal can damage the brain and central nervous system, causing learning and behavioral problems.
Macarena Rizzo, a mother of two, who has given her 15-month-old daughter vegetable snacks, said CBS News was “very disappointed” with Consumer Reports’ findings.
“I thought I was making a good decision or I was making a smart decision, and it looks like I’m not,” he said.
Rogers said parents should not panic, but should be aware that over time, lead levels can build up in children and increase the risk of developmental problems such as lower IQ, ADHD and autism.
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that can build up in a child’s bloodstream, deposit in bones, teeth and soft tissues, and build up in the body, damaging organs and affecting the central nervous system.
Both Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids justified the results by saying that heavy metals, including lead, occur naturally in the environment, meaning it is “virtually impossible” to avoid them.