Avoiding the Presence of Heavy Metals in Store-Bought Baby Food

​After months of giddy anticipation and endless planning, we hear their first cry and moments later they are placed in our arms. As we revel in the flood of emotions that a new baby brings, we are certain of one thing. We will spend every waking moment nourishing and protecting our fragile bundle of joy. 
And so we start off with great intentions until the world starts poking holes into our happily ever after plan. We are swiftly thrown off balance by the myriad of harmful substances lurking in wait for our little ones. 

Isn’t it ironical that we now have toxins in baby food and products? Aren’t babies the best representation of innocence and purity? Aren’t their formative years sacred and shouldn’t they be guarded jealously by all?

A recent report by Healthy Babies Bright Futures has cast a dark shadow over the hearts of many parents. The report unearthed the grim news that 95% of 168 commercial baby food tested for heavy metals was indeed found to contain lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. 

Arsenic was more prevalent in rice-based foods. Other foods that were highly laced with these metals are teething biscuits, fruit juices, infant formula, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

What is the source of these heavy metals and how do they leach into commercially produced baby foods? These metals are naturally occurring chemical elements that are commonly used to manufacture pesticides and other industrial products. They tend to seep into the soil and underground water, lingering there for decades and infiltrating human food.  

How Do Heavy Metals Affect Babies?Did you know that children are more prone to environmental risks than adults? This is because of their tender immune system coupled with the fact that they are growing rapidly. Children are also more likely to get into contact with dirt and harmful substances due to their curious and explorative nature. 
Heavy metals are poisonous to the nervous system and can ignite adverse effects on growing children. Their presence may hamper a child’s brain development and cripple their IQ. They are also associated with a rise in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

But that’s not all, all the three metals involved in the study (apart from mercury) are human carcinogens. 

How Else Do Children Get Exposed to Heavy Metals and other Harmful Substances?

Now that we have started cleaning up the filth, we may as well overturn the whole house and toss out all the gunk. Did you know that personal skincare products are another route through which toxic elements gnaw on our kids?
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Research indicates that it is indeed possible for toxins from skincare products to seep into the human body. Unfortunately, many adult and baby personal skincare products are loaded with harmful substances.

We all love babies that smell heavenly from head to toe, especially after a cozy warm bath. We, therefore, scrutinize the stores for products infused with the sweetest scents, eager to smother them lovingly on our tots.  

But before you slather that lotion onto your baby’s fragile skin, take a moment and think about the products in the tub.

Did you know that many baby skincare products are laced with harsh chemicals that can penetrate your child’s fragile skin?

Facts about what we now know baby personal care products:

• Several Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are present in baby personal care products and have been considered a global threat by UNEP. EDCs throw the body’s hormonal system into disarray and may cause adverse reproductive, developmental, immunological and neurological defects. 
• Skincare product manufacturers are not pressed by the law to warn consumers of potentially harmful chemicals used in their products. Some of these substances are highly toxic and even carcinogenic.
• Some of the ingredients used in personal care products are hazardous industrial chemicals. 
• The European Union has banned 1,100 chemicals in cosmetics. Among these, the FDA in America has only banned 10
• Manufacturers sneak in chemicals and hide them under names such as ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’. 
• BPA- Free packaging doesn’t mean endocrine disruptor free. 
  
  

It is not uncommon for parents to use more than three skincare products on their kids each day, such as shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens, and body lotions. Long term exposure to harmful substances in these products such as EDC's, phthalates and industrial chemicals will definitely come back to bite.
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It’s no wonder that our environment and wildlife are already choking under the weight of these pollutants. Additionally, exposure to a wide range of toxins may spark off a cocktail effect that the human body is unable to flush out.   

It is easy for parents to feel helpless altogether in the face of the plethora of toxic substances that prey on their kids. It’s however not all gloom, parents can duck for cover and shield their kids from this menace.

Choose Baby Food WiselyHere are a few cautionary measures you can take to ensure your baby’s food is safe:

• Whip up homemade meals as much as possible
• Avoid rice-based foods, substitute with oats and other grains.
• Encourage your kids to take vegetables, fruits, and water to help flush out toxins 
• Chooses organic foods. 
  
  

Choose Ruby-Blue Bunny Baby Skin Care Products
As aforementioned, children are more vulnerable than adults to the inordinate amounts of pollutants in our environment. In the face of the thick cloud of despair that this realization brings, Ruby-Blue Bunny baby skincare products stand out like a lighthouse. 

Our skin and hair care products are completely devoid of any endocrine disruptors, phthalates and other harsh chemicals. We have an extensive ‘No list’ that details harmful substances against which a NSF International Approved Independent lab tests our products. 

Additionally, all the ingredients used in our products are organic, making our products a safe haven for kids. 

But keeping harmful substances at bay is not all we do, we infuse our products with blends of the highest quality botanical ingredients that soothe, cleanse, moisturize and provide vital antioxidants to your baby. 
 
What’s more, we use the highest concentration of these organic ingredients and unlike other companies, we do not dilute our products with water. We blend our ingredients with proprietary aloe Vera, bringing on board its immense healing and soothing properties. 

And finally, we seal the deal by packaging our unrivaled products in BPA and Phthalate-free containers. 

What about Natural Products?
Are they the same as Organic?

Many well-meaning parents assume that natural products are the same as organic, hoping that they are devoid of harsh and toxic substances.

We hate to be the bearers of bad news but nothing could be further from the truth. Most natural products are still laced with growth hormones, artificial flavors, and antibiotics. Just because they are labeled ‘natural’ doesn’t mean that their production has been monitored and certified. 

Organic farming, on the other hand, involves rigorous inspection and certification to ensure that no toxic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, GMOs, growth hormones and antibiotics are used. Additionally, 95% of the products must be organically produced and the other 5% approved by USDA’s National List. 

At Ruby-Blue Bunny, we use science and testing to bring you the most effective, beneficial and safest baby skin and hair products in the industry.  We have over 25 years creating organic skin care, so we know a thing or two, or three!  :-)

Bunny Kisses for Good Health.