What Can Families and Communities Do to Prevent Exposure to Lead in Children’s Food?

Lead and other heavy metals can occur naturally in soil used to grow food. Lead can also get into food through pesticides, food manufacturing, and packaging. Baby food products such as rice or rice-based foods (e.g., rice puffs, rice cereal), vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes), and fruit juices, may contain lead or heavy metals. Parents can reduce heavy metals in their child’s diet with simple steps. Limit rice-based products and fruit juices. Feed your child a variety of health foods. Examples are milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, peanut butter, beans, cereals, oranges, and peppers. Foods with vitamin C, iron, and calcium may help keep lead out of the body.