A new study published in Food and Chemical Toxicity found common foods like leafy green vegetables, potatoes and nuts contain levels of cadmium far beyond recommended safety levels for younger children.
Young children are being exposed to a potentially cancer-causing heavy metal known as cadmium through many of the foods they eat, often at levels that exceed safety standards, according to a new study.
Cadmium has been shown to contaminate water, air and crops, including a range of foods considered healthy that are used in baby food.
The study, which was published last week in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicity, found that the cumulative average daily levels of cadmium ingested by children were higher than daily cadmium intake levels considered safe by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
For instance, children between 6 months and 24 months who consumed spinach and rice at least once a week ingested cadmium that exceeded the ATSDR guidelines by up to 200%, the study determined.