We Tested 298 Baby Foods for Lead and Arsenic

Every parent deserves to know what's really in their baby's food. At Olive, we independently tested 298 popular baby products for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury using rigorous laboratory standards. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure your child's meals are safe and healthy.

What We Tested & Why It Matters

Olive partnered with Light Labs, an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), we analyzed 298 baby foods for the presence of four dangerous heavy metals known as the "Big 4":

Lead: Known to cause irreversible neurological damage and reduced IQ.

Arsenic: Linked to developmental delays, neurotoxicity, and cancer.

Cadmium: Can damage kidneys and bones, affecting nutrient absorption.

Mercury: Impairs brain development, cognitive function, and motor skills.

Lev Spivak-Birndorf, Lab Director at Light Labs, emphasizes that, "in addition to the rigorous validation process that must be performed to accredit the method, our technique leverages NIST traceable standard reference materials to verify the precision and accuracy of the analyses. Some of the samples were run multiple times to confirm the results."

How We Tested: Ensuring Accuracy & Precision

Our testing methodology included microwave-assisted acid digestion for sample preparation. Products identified with elevated heavy metal levels underwent retesting to confirm accuracy. Additionally, products high in arsenic were further analyzed to differentiate between inorganic and organic arsenic, given inorganic arsenic’s heightened toxicity.

Olive’s safety benchmarks are drawn from the strictest limits provided by the FDA, EU, Clean Label Project, and California’s Proposition 65 guidelines.

What Our Tests Revealed

Out of 298 tested products, our analysis revealed concerning results:

16 products (~5% of all products tested) exceeded California Prop 65 limits for lead.

17 products (~6%) surpassed FDA action levels or EU regulatory limits for arsenic, cadmium, or lead.

~15% of all products tested exceed California Prop 65 Daily Limit with just two servings.

Below are some products we strongly advise parents to avoid or strictly limit:

🚩 Products of Concern

These products exceeded California’s Prop 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) for lead, with some significantly above safe limits:

Additional notable brands exceeding safe levels included Yumi, Pumpkin Tree, Nature's Bakery, and multiple products from Gerber and HappyBaby Organics.

To see if your baby's favorite food was included in the study, click here to scan it on Olive.

✅ Safer Alternatives Recommended by Olive

Fortunately, safer options are available. Based on our lab tests results, these products consistently fell below Olive’s strict contamination thresholds:

365 Whole Foods Market: Organic Baby Apple Pumpkin with Quinoa & Cinnamon Purée

Amara: Organic Smoothie Melts Mixed Red Berries

Cerebelly: Organic Baby Puree Spinach Apple Sweet Potato

Earth’s Best: Organic Beef Medley Vegetable + Beef Purée

Gerber: Apple Pear Peach Puree, Apple Strawberry Banana Sitter 2nd Foods

HappyBaby Organics: Organic Pears, Pumpkin, Peaches & Granola

Serenity Kids: Grass Fed Bison with Kabocha Squash & Spinach, Grass Fed A2 Whole Milk Toddler Formula

Yumi: Apple Cinnamon & Squash Organic Bar

Cerebelly (pouches), Serenity Kids, Earth's Best, Annie's, Similac, PediaSure, Enfamil, Kendamil, Bobbie, Little Bellies, and Organics Elevated were among the top overall brands tested.

Why Heavy Metals in Baby Food Are a Serious Concern

Young children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of heavy metals because their brains and bodies are undergoing rapid development. Even small amounts of exposure can cause irreversible damage.

The CDC emphasizes that "there are no safe levels of lead in the blood" and that "even low levels of lead in blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues. The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent and disabling." - (Source)

Understanding California Prop 65 vs. FDA Guidelines

California Prop 65 sets legally enforceable exposure limits and mandates clear warning labels for products exceeding safe daily intakes. The FDA’s standards, while valuable, are voluntary and generally less strict, focusing on maximum permissible concentrations.

Olive uses multiple standards in its data analysis. For heavy metals, California’s Prop 65 standards are comprehensive due to their higher safety protections for consumers, especially children. Prop 65 guidelines have established Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs), legally enforceable standards requiring consumer warnings if exceeded:

Separately, Olive uses a combination of the strictest and most relevant regulations on contaminants set by the EU, FDA, and the Clean Label Project guidelines.

For more information on Olive's testing methodology, please see our testing methodology sheet.

Company Responses & Actions Taken

Olive is exploring options to increase the visibility of our study and hold brands accountable for toxic contaminants. If you want to support Olive's mission and further our lab testing efforts, please consider subscribing to Olive and voting on the next products you'd like to see lab-tested.

Practical Advice for Parents & Caregivers

Limit Exposure: Rotate products frequently to avoid repeated exposure.

Diversify Foods: Incorporate a variety of safer alternatives listed above.

Check Labels: Look for California Prop 65 warnings on packaging. Scan your products for hidden contaminants if you have an Olive subscription.

Prepare Carefully: Wash and peel fresh produce thoroughly to reduce contaminants like pesticides.

Test Your Water: Consider testing your household drinking water for lead.

As a simple first step, Olive is offering a free 7-day trial to readers of this study to help you avoid hidden toxins. Click here to download and try Olive for free today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Gerber baby food safe? Some Gerber products exceeded safe lead limits, so always choose carefully based on Olive’s findings.

How can I limit heavy metals in my baby’s diet? Choose products low in heavy metals, diversify your baby's diet, scan food for contaminants, and rotate foods regularly.

Are organic baby foods safer? Organic labels don't guarantee heavy metal safety, making independent testing like Olive’s essential.

Olive’s Mission & How You Can Take Action

At Olive, we’re dedicated to providing families with trusted, 100% independent, and transparent information. Our app helps parents instantly check foods for hidden contaminants. Download Olive to stay informed and ensure your baby’s food is always safe and nourishing.

Olive is offering a free 7-day trial exclusively to parents who want to make better decisions for their families. Click here to download Olive on the App Store today.

Together, we can advocate for safer food standards and healthier futures for all children.