Where To Buy Beechnut Organic Baby Food High Quality
Two disturbing Congressional baby food safety reports were released in February and September 2021, revealing that many of the most popular brands of baby foods were selling products that were tainted with dangerously high levels of toxic heavy metals.
where to buy beechnut organic baby food
In a detailed Congressional Report on toxic products released last February 2021, the US Congress Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy asked the following baby food manufacturers for the test results of products reported to have high levels of toxic heavy metals: (3)
In September 2021, the Subcommittee submitted a follow-up report. It announced that the state of Alaska independently tested Beech-Nut baby food products and still found dangerously high levels of inorganic arsenic. (4)
It will require baby food manufacturers to test and disclose their results to parents and regulators. It will also direct the FDA to create and implement stricter heavy metal limits for baby foods. (6)
A lawsuit was filed in Southern California against the baby food companies mentioned in the Congressional report over their possible links with autism and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). (10)
However, baby food safety advocates (e.g., Consumer Reports and Healthy Babies Bright Futures) push for lower lead limits and for the FDA to include limits on the other heavy metals also found in baby food, including mercury and cadmium. (12)(13)
There have been many public health concerns raised regarding heavy metals in baby food. In a report released in February 2021, a subcommittee within the US House of Representatives reported that toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, were found in some baby foods. These metals are naturally present in soil and water, they can be found in a variety of plant-based foods. Factors including farming practices and manufacturing processes can increase heavy metals concentration in these foods.
This document referred to specific pureed and prepared baby foods brands, including Happy Baby, Earth's Best, Gerber, Beech Nut, Plum Organics, Parent's Choice, and Sprout Organic Foods. Various concentrations of heavy metals were found in these products, some with high levels that were concerning. It is important to note that the data reported was collected between 2017 and 2019, prior to August 2020, when the FDA put out new guidelines around heavy metals in infant foods. These companies reported compliance with the FDA guidelines, making efforts to reduce potentially harmful heavy metals in their products. Some companies participate in third-party testing, while others rely on internal testing, which we have noted in the pros and cons section for each product in this article.
Most pediatric experts agree that when it comes to baby food, variety is the best approach. Having a variety of foods from various sources and manufacturers ensures that children are not constantly exposed to any single ingredient that may contain high levels of heavy metals, therefore lowering the chances of exposure to dangerous concentrations.
Some research suggests both conventional and organically grown foods of the same variety have similar nutritional profiles. However, other research suggests organic produce can have higher levels of some antioxidants and lower levels of the heavy metal cadmium.
Ultimately, it is a personal preference to choose organic or conventional baby foods, as healthy options can be found from both sources. Keep in mind the American Dietary Guidelines recommend that eating a variety of nutrient-dense food is always the priority, whether organic or conventionally sourced.
Some research suggests organic food can be lower in cadmium but not necessarily lower in all heavy metals. Organic baby foods do not necessarily reduce the risk or presence of all heavy metals in your food. As always, the recommendation remains to provide your family with a variety of foods from various sources and purchase from companies that are committed to testing their foods to ensure safe levels of these metals.
The "stages" of baby foods refer to your child's feeding level. Stage 1 foods are often single-ingredient purees, and they are the first foods introduced between 4 and 6 months. Stage 2 starts around 7 to 8 months and can be multi-ingredient purees that introduce new tastes and textures. Stage 3 is for babies 9 months or older and usually contains multiple ingredients and a bit of texture and complexity that may require chewing. As your child's oral skills advance, so will their feeding stage.
Healthy eating habits are established from an early age. However, each baby is unique and will develop at their own rate. Emily Hicks, MS, RD, LDN, registered dietitian of KinderCare Learning Centers, says, "Some babies will be quite interested in the foods they see others eating, especially if babies are part of the regular family mealtimes. Other babies may show no interest at all in solid foods."
Once babies are interested in solid foods or show signs that they are developmentally ready to begin solids, it is time for families to think about how they want to present those "first foods." Most babies are developmentally ready for solid foods around 6 months of age. Before starting the transition, it's important to ensure the baby can do the following:
Between 6 and 12 months of age, babies will have an increasing need for complementary foods to help them meet their nutritional needs for growth and development, in addition to the breast milk and/or infant formula they receive. When a baby shows that they're ready for solid foods, it's up to the family to decide if they want to start with baby food or with soft, whole foods. Exposing babies to various flavors, textures, and foods supports building a long-term positive relationship with food.
Making your own baby food is simple, though it may take some time, Hick says. To make your own baby food, Manaker suggests including some cooked organic produce with liquid, such as breast milk or infant formula, and mashing or pureeing to the desired consistency.
This affordable baby food is an all-around fan favorite. Beech-Nut baby foods come in recyclable glass jars and are available in both natural and organic varieties. Blends are available in every stage, from single-ingredient foods for brand-new eaters (like butternut squash and plum) to multi-food blends with chunkier textures for older babies.
These organic, cold-pressed baby food pouches and cups are found in the refrigerated section at your grocery store (and yes, they have to be refrigerated at home). The company also has a subscription delivery option to make baby food even more convenient for your busy schedule.
Creative names like Wild Rumpus Avocado and Magic Velvet Mango will have you smiling, and the variety of flavors will (hopefully!) appeal to your little one. Once Upon a Farm offers a variety of food stages, so you can start with their purees and move on up to their finger and toddler foods as your baby grows.
This simple cereal is a great first food for baby. You can mix this one-ingredient whole grain cereal with breast milk, formula, or water to provide your little one with some crucial nutrients (such as iron) and experience with spoons and textures.
If your baby is formula-fed, they may begin eating solids sooner than 6 months. While no one specific food is recommended, a variety of foods and colors is best, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the key foods that can help with growth and weight gain is avocados (high in healthy fats and fiber but low in sugar).
So good for your babyI love Beechnut and I buy it for my son consistently! They have natural and organic foods for your baby. Most of the baby foods literally have 1 or 2 ingredients, so I don't have to worry about what my son eats. I've even tried a few and they taste just like what food it is! They are so good for babies and have no additives or artificial ingredients.
Love this baby food. They are always only sale for 10 for 4$ at my supermarket so I always stay stocked up for my baby. This is the only brand he likes. I love that the ingredients are so simple so you actually know what your baby is eating.
Favorite Brand!This is by far my favorite brand of baby food. I have done a TON of research on organic baby foods and this is my favorite organics. Just the ingredient and water, and nothing else added so I am relieved to give this to my babe. He loves it and it's not too watered down. I love that the containers are clear so I can see the food before feeding it to him.
On October 21, 2021, 23 attorney generals in the US petitioned the FDA to expedite their process of implementing standards for heavy metals in baby food. Currently, the timeline looks like limiting lead in baby food by the middle of 2022, limiting inorganic arsenic by April 2024, and limiting cadmium and mercury after April 2024.
Because of their commitment to safety, using only organic ingredients, and rigorous testing for heavy metals, we gladly recommend Yumi baby food as a safe alternative to the brands mentioned in the recent federal baby food report.
They use HPP (cold-pressing), which uses high pressure rather than heat to prepare the product. This process helps maintain the taste, texture, and color of the product instead of shelf-stable baby food products that are heated and pasteurized, which destroys a lot of the nutritional value.
At Serenity Kids, we carefully vet our suppliers to ensure we use the cleanest possible ingredients. We use organic vegetables that come from trusted American-family farms that conduct testing on their own soil, have robust food safety programs, and undergo the most rigorous food safety audit, SQF Level III. Meats are naturally lower in heavy metals, and we source ours from farms with the highest quality and environmental standards.
A lot of store-bought purees are essentially boiled and reduced fruits, making them concentrated in sugar. Often, manufacturers use fruits like banana and mango, which are naturally high in sugar, and when reduced, end up making for baby food that is very high in sugars. 041b061a72