Baby Food Autism & ADHD Lawsuits
Studies have linked the high levels of toxic metals in common baby foods to a higher instance of neurological and developmental disorders in children. Parents trust that food for their infants and toddlers is safe, and negligent companies must be held accountable for the damage they’ve caused. Find out if you qualify to file a baby food autism and ADHD lawsuit against these irresponsible manufacturers who have endangered children’s health for years.
Toxic Metals in Majority of Baby Foods
Our partnering lawyers are currently accepting cases nationwide from parents who have witnessed the devastating effects of toxic heavy metals found in baby food on their child’s development.
A 2019 investigation found that 95% of baby foods tested positive for one or more of the heavy metals mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. While one in four of the products included all four metals in the same container, only 5% of the products had none. These elements are neurotoxins, meaning they can have a profound and permanent effect on children’s behavior, their intellectual capacity, and the overall development of their young minds.
Unfortunately, there are very few guidelines (and even fewer requirements) for the accepted levels of these toxic metals in foods intended for the most vulnerable members of our population. Filing a baby food autism and ADHD lawsuit against the manufacturers of these products not only recovers much-needed compensation for the impact of these toxins on your family, but it may also encourage both the baby food industry and the FDA to impose stricter regulations and testing on these products.
If your child is eight years old or younger, consumed baby food for at least one year, and was diagnosed with one of the conditions to the right, you may be eligible for compensation through a toxic baby food lawsuit.
Time is limited, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for a cost-free evaluation and consultation.
Baby Food Lawsuit Facts
Products
- Baby food products high in heavy metals, especially those containing rice, sweet potatoes, and carrots
Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Kanner’s Syndrome (Classic Autistic Disorder)
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Defendants
- Happy Family® Organics
- Beech-Nut®
- Earth’s Best
- Gerber®
- Plum Organics
- Sprout Organic Foods
- Parent’s Choice (Walmart)
- And many more…
Status
- First trial set for October 2023
- Claims are actively being filed against baby food manufacturers
Timeline of Events
February 4, 2021 — The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy published a report revealing that top brands have tested their products and discovered levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury that are exponentially higher than those allowed in most regulated products (bottled water, for example). It also makes clear that the companies that cooperated with testing and submitting their results often continued selling their products despite learning this information.
April 8, 2021 — The FDA announced the launch of Closer to Zero, an action plan with the stated goal being “to reduce dietary exposure to contaminants to as low as possible while maintaining access to nutritious foods”. While no legally enforceable regulations have come from Closer to Zero, this plan has allowed for increased testing, education, and industry guidelines. It has also allowed for an exploration of alternative farming methods to reduce the concentration of these metals.
September 29, 2021 — A follow-up report was released by the subcommittee, stating that the companies that did not cooperate with testing for the earlier report [i.e. Campbell (Plum Organics); Walmart (Parent’s Choice); and Sprout Foods, Inc (Sprout Organic Foods)] finally provided some responses.
Unsurprisingly, these responses were not satisfactory, featuring insufficient testing methods and disregard for the effects of heavy metals in their baby food products. This report also includes more disturbing information on the brands that had previously cooperated, such as Beech-Nut’s decision to recall some, but not all, of their rice cereals that tested over the FDA’s limits for arsenic.
January 24, 2023 — Just under two years after the Closer to Zero action plan began taking effect, the FDA announced their first industry guidelines that have resulted from the plan, advising standard levels of lead in foods for young children. These regulations are not law, like those governing many other regulated products, but they are instead meant to set a standard for baby food manufacturing companies. Specifically, these guidelines seek to minimize the presence of lead in baby food.
July 4, 2023 — Frontiers in Pediatrics publishes a meta-analysis of 53 studies involving 5,054 individuals across 5 continents. From the results of this analysis, it is clear that there is a strong correlation between the occurrence of heavy metals and an ASD diagnosis.
October 2023 — The first baby food autism trial is set to begin in California.
Can Heavy Metals in Baby Food Cause Autism?
Heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic can impact the body in various ways, but our spotlight here is on their role in developmental challenges. We want to clarify that these metals may not be the sole cause of autism — scientists are still exploring their exact contribution. That being said, the science demonstrating a strong correlation between these elements and developmental disorders cannot be ignored. We believe baby food brands must take responsibility for the neurotoxins in their products.
Lead, notorious for inducing non-traumatic brain injuries, developmental delays, and behavioral challenges, has emerged as a concerning factor in the realm of developmental disorders. Research has unveiled a noteworthy connection, revealing that individuals with Autism often exhibit elevated lead levels in their bloodstreams. This finding raises concerns due to lead’s ability to traverse the protective barrier shielding the brain.
The evidence underscores a disconcerting truth: there is no discernible threshold for safe lead exposure.
Infants and children stand particularly exposed to the hazards of neurotoxic substances, and arsenic is no exception. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights rice-based cereals and fruit juices as primary sources of arsenic exposure for children. This toxic element can lead to an array of neurodevelopmental and cognitive effects, aligning with conditions like Autism and ADHD.
The vulnerability of our youngest population is most pronounced during the formative stages, spanning from prenatal development through infancy.
Cadmium, among the implicated neurotoxic elements, presents a complex puzzle in the context of developmental challenges. Studies have unveiled intriguing findings: individuals diagnosed with Autism often exhibit elevated cadmium levels in their bloodstreams. Curiously, these individuals tend to have lower levels of cadmium in their urine, hinting at the body’s limited capacity to expel heavy metals effectively.
This phenomenon holds significance in untangling the intricate ways through which these metals might contribute to developmental disorders.
Mercury also holds significant implications in the realm of developmental disorders. Extensive research spanning two decades reveals a compelling narrative: among the 91 studies scrutinizing the potential link between mercury and Autism, a substantial 74% underscore mercury as a risk factor. This evidence implicates mercury exposure as a causal and/or contributory factor in Autism etiology.
Baby Food Autism & ADHD Lawsuit FAQs
- All baby food brands in the United States have withdrawn infant brown rice cereal, which contained the highest levels of arsenic.
- In 2021, two baby food brands initiated recalls due to arsenic concerns:
- Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal
- Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal
Note that the majority of companies are not adequately addressing these concerns, let alone proactively testing and recalling their products. Even those that have established internal limits for heavy metals are setting thresholds far higher than what experts consider appropriate, often exceeding safe levels by hundreds of times (if a safe level can even be determined).
Unfortunately, no. The issue at hand extends beyond production methods. Both farming practices, particularly irrigation, and human activities contribute to heavy metal presence. While the concern is widespread, manufacturers hold a distinct responsibility to ensure their products remain free from unsafe levels of heavy metals. This entails sourcing ingredients with caution, providing warnings to consumers, and avoiding selling items that inherently contain high concentrations of these metals, such as rice, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fruit juices.
Parents seeking to shield their babies from these toxic metals should offer a diverse diet while opting for foods with lower concentrations. A valuable resource in navigating this landscape is the guide provided by Healthy Babies Bright Futures. This resource assists parents in making informed choices when it comes to baby foods with lead and arsenic content.
You may be eligible to file a baby food autism and ADHD lawsuit if:
- The baby food in question was consumed for at least one year.
- The child has received a diagnosis of:
- Autism/ASD,
- Asperger’s Syndrome,
- Kanner’s Syndrome (Classic Autistic Disorder),
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS),
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, or
- ADHD.
- The child is 8 years old or younger.
Settlement amounts vary and hinge on factors such as the child’s age, level of exposure, and the extent of disability. Given that these cases involve permanent injuries to children, settlements tend to reflect the long-term nature of the conditions. The compensation is often higher, acknowledging the enduring impact these challenges have on the child’s entire life.
- Building a Strong Case: Crafting a compelling legal argument requires in-depth knowledge and experience. A lawyer can construct a robust case supported by evidence.
- Expert Connections: Proving the link between heavy metal exposure and developmental challenges is intricate. An attorney with access to a network of experts can navigate this complexity.
- Seeking Full Compensation: With a profound understanding of the lasting impact on your child’s life, a lawyer will strive for full compensation.
- Trusted Partnerships: We at White Heart Legal exclusively collaborate with reputable attorneys nationwide, ensuring you’re connected to reliable legal representation.
- Free Consultation: You’re eligible for a complimentary case review to determine if you qualify for compensation.
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About White Heart Legal
If your child was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, or another neurological condition after consuming baby food, we want to help you. Our participating law firms will work hard to get you the compensation you are owed. If they don’t win your case, you don’t owe a dime. Time is limited, so the sooner you call us, the better your chances are of success in your baby food Autism and ADHD lawsuit. Get your free, one-on-one consultation today.
Contact Us Today To See If You Qualify
If your child was exposed to neurotoxic metals in baby food, we are here to help you recover and seek justice.
Or, give us a call at 866-818-4973
