News and Events

FDA Limits Toxic Lead in Certain Foods Intended for Babies and Young Children

On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration set maximum levels for lead in baby foods like jarred fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and dry cereal, as part of an effort to cut young children's exposure to the toxic metal that causes developmental and neurological problems.

Contaminants such as lead occur naturally and as environmental pollutants in air, water, and soil. Contaminants may enter the food supply when plants and animals take them up as they take up nutrients, making these foods both a source of essential nutrition but also a source of exposure to contaminants.

The FDA guidance sets a lead limit of 10 parts per billion for fruits, most vegetables, grain and meat mixtures, yogurts, custards and puddings, and single-ingredient meats. It sets a limit of 20 parts per billion for single-ingredient root vegetables and for dry infant cereals. The guidance covers packaged processed foods sold in jars, pouches, tubs, or boxes.

Additional information can be found on the WSFA and FDA websites.

EPA Awards Nearly $44M to Alabama to Support Lead Pipe Replacement

Just in time for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding nearly $44 million to Alabama to support replacing lead pipes in the state’s drinking water systems. In addition, the EPA also announced the availability of $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water that communities can apply directly for through December 30, 2024.

Additional information can be found on the WSFA website.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Each year during the last full week of October, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week presents an opportunity to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and governments to reduce childhood lead exposure through increased lead poisoning prevention awareness. The Alabama Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program understands that it takes all of us working together to prevent lead poisoning and encourages parents to:

• Learn more about the serious health issues caused by lead exposure, especially in children less than 6 years old
• Ask your child's medical provider to complete blood lead testing at 1 and 2 years old
• Request blood lead testing for your child if they are 3 to 6 years old and have never had a blood lead test
• Request blood lead testing if you are concerned your child may have been exposed to lead
• Learn how to reduce your family's risk of lead poisoning
• Consider having your home tested if it was built before 1978

In addition, individuals who work with lead are encouraged to:

• Learn more about your occupational exposures and the health effects of long-term exposure
• Follow all recommended protective measures to protect yourself and your family

Today, childhood lead poisoning is considered to be the most preventable environmental disease of young children, yet an estimated 500,000 U.S. children have blood lead levels at or above the blood lead reference value, the level at which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends public health actions begin. A simple blood test can prevent a lifetime spoiled by the irreversible damage caused by lead poisoning.

Children's Health Month

The EPA celebrates Children's Health Month each October by developing publications and activities highlighting the importance of protecting children from environmental risks. For more information, visit EPA: Children's Health.

Pre-1978 Home Renovations

Since April 2010, major renovation and maintenance in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities have been subject to new rules. As part of its efforts to eliminate the risk of lead poisoning, the EPA passed a new rule requiring that contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. In addition, renovators are required to provide owners and occupants with the pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools whenever they perform work on pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities.

More information can be found at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).