Legal Issues Regarding Heavy Metals in Baby Food and the Baby Food Safety Act

Much attention has been brought to the issue of baby foods tainted with heavy metals after the release of a February 4, 2021 Report published by the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Committee on Oversight and Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2019, the Subcommittee sought internal information from the largest baby food manufacturers in the United States and received compliance from four of the popular companies. In March 2021, the Baby Food Safety Act was introduced to Congress in the wake of the House Subcommittee’s report proposing maximum levels for lead, mercury, cadmium, and inorganic arsenic that are below the thresholds currently set by many baby food manufacturers. The Food, Drug and Cosmetics Section of the New York State Bar Association have conducted a CLE comprised of four speakers to explore the issues surrounding heavy metals in baby foods, recommendations put forth in the Baby Food Act of 2021, and the potential impact on various industries should the Bill be passed.

Speakers

Jackie Bowen, Executive Director of the Clean Label Project

Tom Neltner, Esq., Chemicals Policy Director of the Environmental Defense Fund

P. Renée Wicklund, Esq., Senior Of Counsel with Richman Law & Policy

Christina Tusan, Esq., Supervising Attorney for the Consumer and Workplace Protection Unit for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office

Moderater

Ashley Anderson, Esq., member of NYSBA’s Food, Drug and Cosmetic Section, Associate with Hawkins Parnell and Young, LLP