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They have found many baby formula brands containing hazardous levels of heavy metals in their products.
According to CNN:
Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury are in the World Health Organization’s top 10 chemicals of concern for infants and children.
“Dangerous levels of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury exist in baby foods at levels that exceed what experts and governing bodies say is permissible,”
Here are the brands that are being found guilty. Recognize them so you can avoid them.
❌ Happy Baby products and Hain Celestial Group, Inc., which sells
❌ Earth’s Best Organic baby food showed levels of heavy metals far above limits set for bottled water by the FDA and the US Environmental Protection Agency, the congressional investigators found.
These are the additional companies and their brands investigated:
❌ Canadian cannabis company Neptune Wellness Solutions: Sprout Organic Foods
❌ Campbell Soup Company: Plum Organics
❌ Walmart: Parent’s Choice baby food
According to ClassAction.org:
Gerber Products Co. and Beech-Nut Nutrition Co. also face similar suits.
These three proposed class actions have been filed against the makers of popular baby food products:
❌ against Beech-Nut
❌ against Gerber
❌ against Plum Organics
The subcommittee further noted that Campbell Soup Company, which sells baby food under the brand name Plum Organics); Walmart, Inc., which sells baby food through its private label Parent’s Choice baby food; and Sprout Foods, Inc. “refused to cooperate” with the investigation.
In February 2022, Hain Celestial Group Inc., the maker of a variety of ❌ Earth’s Best organic infant formulas, was the latest company to be hit with a proposed class-action suit in a New York federal court, alleging it misleads parents into believing its premium baby foods are healthy, nutritious, and non-toxic when they actually contain undisclosed dangerous levels of lead and other toxic heavy metals. Read more here.
Coincidently, before these lawsuits, in 2019, an organization called Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) released a report on new tests of 168 baby foods for heavy metals.
13 baby formulas, including Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity – DHR/ARA Infant Formula with Iron Organic Milk-Based Powder, were tested for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. All of them had detectable levels of the heavy metals; however, none of them had levels that exceeded European levels of lead and cadmium in baby food and proposed levels of arsenic by the FDA. The Earth’s Best formula did not have the highest levels of heavy metals. You can see the report here.
The Healthy Babies Bright Future’s suggestions for parents included reducing the consumption of rice-based baby foods and choosing filtered water over juices. They did not have any actionable advice regarding infant formulas.
❌ Holle Baby Formula is also involved in a class action.
According to ClassAction.org, they have been misleading by claiming and advertising its baby foods as “lead-free” and without any “detectable traces” of heavy metals.
A proposed class action alleges a number of products in HolleUSA’s line of baby foods are contaminated with harmful heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.
Conclusion
While it is unacceptable that no one is regulating this, it is up to us to educate ourselves and do research.
⭐ In California, there is a law that protects consumers from higher levels of heavy metals in any products sold in the state. I can review the products and see if they carry the heavy metals warning.
NOTE: European brands usually use less iron than the USA brands. Ask your pediatrician what is best for your baby.
🌿 On this page, I listed the best organic baby formula brands on the market:
✅ USDA Certified organic: that means made with at least 95% organic ingredients, and pesticides and GMOs are not allowed
✅ California Proposition 65 warning free
✅ Natural flavors free: undisclosed mix of ingredients
✅ Rice-free because it contains arsenic
My number one Organic Baby Formula brand recommendations are:
🌿 Bobbie Baby Formula BOGO code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL. It is considered one of the best organic baby formulas made in the USA. A simple & trusted European-style recipe:
🌿 Baby’s Only 10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL created by the world’s first maker of America’s very first organic toddler formula! It is the most affordable organic and tested-for-purity baby formula in the U.S.!
🌿 ByHeart 15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL. It is the only US infant formula company to add the two most abundant proteins found in breast milk (alpha-lac and lactoferrin) as unique ingredients, plus broken-down proteins for an easy-to-digest protein powerhouse. The first new US infant formula manufacturer in 15 years—owning end-to-end manufacturing.
✅ Clean Label Project Purity Award & Pesticide Free Award
Shop with my links to support my research!💖
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
BOGO code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
Bobbie is my number one organic infant formula brand! Here it is, the first and only USDA Certified Organic, full-cream infant formula, which is Bobbie’s closest to breast milk! ✅ USDA Certified Organic and the first US formula to receive the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Certification & Pesticide-Free Certified. These are the best certifications you can find in baby and infant formulas! This is one of the purest brands on the market!
It is considered one of the best organic baby formulas made in the USA. A simple & trusted European-style recipe,
🌿Bobbie is modeled after breast milk. Also made without rice since it can contain heavy metals such as arsenic.
INGREDIENTS: Organic lactose, organic whole milk, organic linoleic sunflower oil, organic low erucic acid rapeseed oil, organic whey protein concentrate, organic high oleic sunflower oil, organic coconut oil, organic nonfat milk, less than 2% of: organic low erucic acid rapeseed lecithin, schizochytrium sp. Oil*, mortierella alpina oil**, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium citrate, l-carnitine, magnesium phosphate, calcium ascorbate, choline bitartrate, inositol, potassium iodide, ferrous sulfate, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, zinc sulfate, vitamin c palmitate, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin a, thiamin hydrochloride, copper sulfate, riboflavin, mixed tocopherols, pyridoxine hydrochloride, sodium selenate, manganese sulfate, phylloquinone, folic acid, vitamin d3, vitamin b12. Contains milk.
✅ ByHeart Baby formula is the first US infant formula company to receive Clean Label Project’s highest-tier Purity Award (and test for 700 contaminants, versus the required 400).*Based on Clean Label Project, Purity Award certification.
✅ ByHeart is also the first US infant formula to include organic, grass-fed whole-milk and the first US infant formula at breast milk levels.
The only US infant formula company to add the 2 most abundant proteins found in breast milk (alpha-lac and lactoferrin) as unique ingredients. A patented protein blend that gets closest to breast milk with the 2 most abundant proteins found in breast milk, plus broken-down proteins for an easy-to-digest powerhouse that’s clinically proven easy to digest.
Made in small batch process to minimize the time it takes to produce the formula in order to protect the integrity of the (healthy!) fats.
✅ Organic Ingredients
✅ Clean Label Project Purity Award and Certification & Pesticide-Free Certified.
✅ Patented Protein Blend
✅ Organic, Grass-fed Whole Milk
✅ Organic Prebiotics
INGREDIENTS: organic whole milk*, lactose, organic vegetable oils (organic high oleic sunflower, organic low erucicrapeseed, organic coconut, organic sunflower), organic galactooligosaccharides°, organic lactose, alpha-lactalbumin** whey protein, whey protein hydrolysate, less than 1%: lactoferrin***, dha algal oil8 (schizochytrium), mortierella alpina oil¥, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d3, vitamin e acetate, vitamin k1, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin b6 hydrochloride, vitamin b12, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, biotin, ascorbic acid, mixed tocopherols, ascorbyl palmitate, l-carnitine, inositol, calcium phosphate, sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, ferrous sulfate, potassium chloride, magnesium phosphate, calcium chloride, zinc sulfate, cupric sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, sodium selenate, potassium bicarbonate, choline chloride. contains: milk
This is one of my favorite organic baby formulas, created by the world's first maker of America’s very first organic toddler formula! It is the most affordable organic and tested-for-purity baby formula in the U.S.! Nowadays, it is no longer enough to shop for USDA Certified Organic baby formula, we also need to look at another important certification: the Clean Label Project, which tests for purity and heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers. Their infant formulas are based on clinical data to nourish the baby through their first year of life.
🌿Organic Complete Nutrition Infant Formula: made with Organic American milk,
🌿A2 Organic Milk Infant Formula: for easy digestion.
They have the best certifications on the Market:
INGREDIENTS: A2 formula: Organic Lactose, Organic Nonfat Milk (Source Of A2 Proteins), Organic High Oleic Sunflower, Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Coconut Oil, Less Than 2% Of: Organic Soy Lecithin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Calcium Ascorbate, Inositol, Ferrous Sulfate, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenate, Manganese Sulfate, Phylloquinone, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, And Vitamin B12.
✅ One of my top brand recommendations is Serenity Kids since they are very strict with heavy metal testing, independently tested by Clean Label Project.
🌿Introducing Serenity Kids Grass Fed A2 Whole Milk Toddler Formula - a nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest formula - made with a unique combination of A2 protein, quality fats, carbohydrates, and a variety of essential prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals.
Grass-Fed Organic A2 Whole Milk
Nutrient-Rich Fats
Organic Lactose
Prebiotics (HMOs, GOS, FOS)
5 Nucleotides
DHA & ARA (non hexane extracted)
Better Vitamin Sources
Intended for children 12 months+
MADE WITHOUT: Corn or Rice Syrup, Industrial Seed Oils, Synthetic Folic Acid, Grains, Soy, GMOs, and Gluten.
What is amazing about them is their testing process:
Internal Testing & 3rd Party Tested for Heavy Metals
Clean Label Project Purity Award & Pesticide Free Award
INGREDIENTS: Organic Lactose, Organic A2 Whole Milk Powder, Organic Galactooligosaccharides, Organic Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Less than 2% of: Human Milk Oligosaccharides (2'-fucosyllactose, Lacto-N-neotetraose), Organic Inulin, Algal Oil, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Egg Lecithin, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Nucleotides (Adenosine-5-Monophosphate, Cytidine-5-Monophosphate, Disodium Guanosine-5-Monophosphate, Disodium Inosine-5-Monophosphate, Disodium Uridine-5-Monophosphate), Choline Bitartrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Phosphate, Inositol, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Methylcobalamin, d-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Copper Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, L-Methylfolate, Kelp Powder, Manganese Glycinate, Phylloquinone, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Vitamin D2. (*indicates organic)
💗 Else is the only Baby Cereals brand I recommend
The first U.S. Clean Label Certified Baby Cereals
Introducing the only baby cereal in the U.S. granted the Clean Label Project Purity Award!
For babies six months old and up. Safe from Heavy Metals.
🌿It provides a unique combination of nutritionally balanced gluten-free carbohydrates, high-quality protein (with all 9 essential amino acids), healthy fats, and 20+ essential vitamins and minerals for growing babies’ needs.
Made with real whole foods, almonds, and buckwheat
✅ First and only baby cereal in the U.S. granted the Clean Label Project Purity Award
✅ Organic, whole plant-based, and free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn syrup, and GMOs
✅ A nutritious solid food providing a unique combination of plant protein, healthy fats, gluten-free carbs with natural fibers, and 20+ essential vitamins and minerals.
INGREDIENTS: Organic Instant Buckwheat Flour, Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Buckwheat Flour, Organic Rapeseed Oil. Less than - of: Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E Acetate, Phylloquinone (K1), Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Riboflavin (B¬), Niacinamide (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B6), Biotin (B8), Folic Acid (B9), Cyanocobalamin (B1), Sodium Ascorbate (C), Ferric Pyrophosphate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Choline Bitartrate, Inositol, Potassium Iodide.
🌿Lebenswert Stage 1 is a trusted organic baby formula made from the highest-quality ingredients without artificial preservatives or chemicals. A gentle, nutritious formula for newborns upwards, made in Germany using organic cow’s milk. As well as meeting strict EU organic regulations, it meets the even tougher German Bioland standard, so you’ll know your little one is getting only the absolute best. What more could a growing baby ask for?
Made in Germany from naturally nutritious, easily digestible organic cow’s milk
Free of unnecessary and potentially harmful additives, including starch, soy, maltodextrin, corn syrup and GMOs
Contains DHA made from fish oil – essential for healthy brain development
INGREDIENTS: Skimmed milk*1, whey product* (partly demineralised whey powder)*, vegetable oils* (palm oil*3, rapeseed oil*, sunflower oil*), lactose*, calcium carbonate, l-tyrosine, potassium chloride, fish oil2, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, choline, sodium chloride, l-tryptophane, inosit, ferrous lactate, vitamin c, zinc sulfate, vitamin e, niacin, pantothenic acid, copper sulfate, vitamin a, vitamin b1, manganese sulfate, vitamin b6, potassium iodate, folic acid, sodium selenate, vitamin k, vitamin d, biotin.
* from organic farming, 1 100g infant formula are made from 153ml skimmed milk, 2 contains dha (required by law), 3 from sustainable cultivation
5% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
🌿You can supplement breastmilk with Kendamil or use it alongside. This high-quality baby formula comes with 800g British formula powder per box.
Produced in the United Kingdom, with over 58 years’ experience, Kendamil organic provides only the best nourishment.
I🌿t is made with a variety of vitamins and minerals, with full cream nutrients. The natural goodness that comes with each formula will help your baby to grow up naturally.
EU organic certified means zero artificial pesticides, herbicides, steroids, chemicals, or harsh metals. With a taste babies love and ingredients mother’s favor—Kendamil is an excellent formula option.
🌿Made with 100% organic cow’s milk that is loaded with prebiotics. Rich in vitamins—such as iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, simply because Kendamil uses ingredients with naturally occurring vitamins. Additionally, DHA obtained without hexane extraction is fish oil-free, and blended into this formula to support muscle, eye, and brain growth.
🌿Unlike most formula brands, Kendamil contains NO PALM OIL. This is better for your child and the environment!
INGREDIENTS: Organic whole milk, Organic demineralized milk whey protein powder, Organic skimmed milk, Organic vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed), Organic galacto-oligosaccharides (from milk), Calcium citrate, Sodium citrate, Potassium chloride, Calcium lactate, Magnesium chloride, Docosahexaenoic acid, Arachidonic acid, Vitamin C, Potassium hydroxide, Choline bitartrate, Inositol, Taurine, Nucleotides (cytidine-5’-monophosphate, disodium uridine-5’-monophosphate, adenosine-5’-monophosphate, disodium inosine-5’monophosphate, disodium guanosine-5’ monophosphate), Iron pyrophosphate, Zinc sulphate, Vitamin E, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Copper sulphate, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Manganese sulphate, Folic acid, Potassium iodide, Sodium selenite, Vitamin K, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin B12.
🌿Jovie Goat Milk Formula Stage 1 from birth to 6 months (800g)
Jovie Goat Milk Baby Formula Stage 1 contains high-quality organic components that many parents want in their baby formulas. Jovie goat milk formula contains 800g (28 ounces) of powdered formula per reinforced can, and is best suited for infants between the ages of 0 and 6 months. To give your infant the best chance of success in the future, choose high quality nourishment from the beginning. When it comes to high-quality baby formula, Jovie only offers the best. Your infant will get the most crucial vitamins and nutrients from the most natural sources if you use organic whole goat milk as the main carbohydrate.
INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC whole goat milk powder; ORGANIC lactose (milk); ORGANIC vegetable oils (ORGANIC sunflower oil, ORGANIC rapeseed oil); ORGANIC galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (milk); docosahexaenoic acid rich oil (DHA) (fish); arachidonic acid rich oil (AA); MINERALS (calcium carbonate, sodium citrate, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, ferrous lactate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite); VITAMINS (ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, cholecalciferol, retinol acetate, niacinamide, calcium-d-pantothenate, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, riboflavin, phytomenadione, biotin, cobalamine); l-choline bitartrate; l-cystine; l-tryptophan; l-tyrosine; inositol; l-carnitine l-tartrate.
✅ Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula Stage 1 is exclusively formulated for tiny tummies ages 0 to 6 months.
Made with organic milk from grass-fed cows, nutritionally balanced, supporting your toddlers' growth and development. independently tested by Clean Label Project.
🌿Bubs® Infant Formula and Aussie Bubs™ Toddler Formula contain no GMO, corn syrup, maltodextrin, growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, pesticides, colors or preservatives. Clean Label certified.
Includes:
Organic whole milk
Vitamins A, C & E,
Calcium, magnesium & zinc
Prebiotic & probiotic
✅ Certified Organic in Australia
✅ Internal Testing & 3rd Party Tested for Heavy Metals
✅ Clean Label Project Purity Award
INGREDIENTS: Organic Lactose, Organic Vegetable Oil Blend (High Oleic Sunflower, Coconut, Soy, Canola), Organic Whole Milk Powder, Organic Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Skim Milk Powder, Organic Galacto-Oligosaccharide (GOS), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, from Algae), Arachidonic Acid (ARA), Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536.
I don't recommend this Earth's Best Organic Product.
First, it has controversial ingredients you want to avoid:
INGREDIENTS:
Organic Banana Puree, Organic Strawberry Puree, Organic Yogurt (Organic Cultured Pasteurized Milk), Water, Calcium Citrate Malate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Cholecalciferol(Vitamin D). Contains: Milk
Citric Acid can cause acid reflux and it is man made in lad often derived by a mold. Also you want to avid all the synthetic vitamins added.
Then, it has the California's proposition 65 warning.
I recommend you instead use the Serenity Kids brand, made with safer ingredients and does not have the CA prop 65 warning.
Happy Baby formula is Not Approved! According to CNN article:
"Levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury were often high as well, the subcommittee report said. Documents showed Nurture sold Happy Baby baby foods that tested as high as 500 parts per billion and 641 parts per billion for lead. Levels of lead, cadmium and mercury were often high as well, the subcommittee report said. Documents showed Nurture sold Happy Baby baby foods that tested as high as 500 parts per billion and 641 parts per billion for lead."
Holle Baby formula is Not Approved! According to ClassAction.org, they have been misleading by claiming and advertising its baby foods as “lead-free” and without any “detectable traces” of heavy metals.
A proposed class action alleges a number of products in Holle USA’s line of baby foods are contaminated with harmful heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.