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You can’t “buy your way out” of the heavy metal in baby food conversation. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury are present in whole foods that we modify for baby-led weaning.

In this episode I’m interviewing Charlotte Brody, RN and Jane Houlihan from Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF). Their landmark 2019 study “What’s in My Baby’s Food?” found that 95% of baby foods tested contained toxic chemicals that lower babies’ IQ, including arsenic and lead.

Charlotte Brody is the HBBF National Director and Jane Houlihan is the HBBF Research Director and in this interview they are explaining:

• WHY heavy metals end up in our food supply to begin with…and why buying organic does not erase the problem

• WHICH foods have higher heavy metal concentrations…and why simple steps like removing the skin from sweet potatoes can help cut exposure for your baby

• HOW to prepare foods to lower risk for your baby…boiling rice like it’s pasta in lots of cooking water, choosing baby spinach over bigger pieces and more tips for making your baby’s food safe

SUMMARY OF EPISODE

In this episode I’m interviewing Charlotte Brody, RN and Jane Houlihan who discuss:

• WHY heavy metals end up in our food supply to begin with…and why buying organic does not erase the problem

• WHICH foods have higher heavy metal concentrations…and why simple steps like removing the skin from sweet potatoes can help cut exposure for your baby

• HOW to prepare foods to lower risk for your baby…boiling rice like it’s pasta in lots of cooking water, choosing baby spinach over bigger pieces and more tips for making your baby’s food safe

ABOUT THE GUEST

Charlotte Brody, RN

• National Director of Healthy Babies Bright Futures

• Charlotte is a registered nurse and the mother of two sons.

• She has led a Planned Parenthood affiliate and been among the founders of the Brown Lung Association, Health Care Without Harm, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Green for All and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.

Jane Houlihan

• Research Director of Healthy Babies Bright Futures

• Jane directs research and science communication programs for non-profit organizations.

• She leads research programs on biomonitoring, drinking water, and healthy food.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

To learn more about the work that Healthy Babies Bright Futures does:

• Visit webpage: HBBF.org

• Read more on heavy metals in baby food and better food choices for babies:

  • Parent Guide: 5 Baby Foods with Arsenic and Lead - And Safer Choices

  • Parent Guide: 10 Steps to Make Your Tap Water Baby-Safe

  • Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal

  • Lead in Drinking Water

  • HBBF’s recent report on Arsenic in 9 Brands of Rice Cereal. 

  • Lower Contaminant Foods for Babies

• 2019 Report: What’s in my baby’s food?

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

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