On March 27, 2023, the Center for American Progress submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the agency’s proposed draft guidance intended to reduce lead in consumables marketed for infants and young children. CAP’s letter urges the FDA to take further action to ensure safer and more equitable food standards that account for the disparities in exposure across vulnerable populations who are exposed through both dietary and environmental sources. In particular, CAP calls for efforts to mitigate racial and economic health disparities; inclusion of other heavy metals often found in baby and toddler food products as well as additional foods not included in the current guidance; more stringent action levels that reflect true safety standards rather than current industry capacity; and increased investments in the FDA’s capacity to monitor compliance and evaluate impact.
Click here to read CAP’s comment letter.