SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 899, which requires baby food manufacturers selling their products in California to conduct routine tests of the final product for toxic heavy metals.
The metals that companies must test for are lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, all of which have been linked to brain damage, cancer and other serious health harms.
The law also requires baby food manufacturers to disclose the results of these tests to the state and the public.
The following is a statement from Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs:
Heavy metals are extremely harmful to children and adults, but infants and babies are most sensitive to their health effects. Even miniscule levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury can impair children’s development.
By signing this bill into law, Gov. Newsom has taken an important step toward protecting babies from toxic metals and holding manufacturers accountable.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
