February 2023
You may have seen coverage surrounding a report from the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding the safety of baby foods and the subsequent activity on the part of the FDA. This discussion includes information about elements that naturally occur in soil and water in which crops are grown, including arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium.
At Gerber, we live by our mission: anything for baby. We are constantly striving to achieve the lowest levels of these elements possible in our foods. With our goal to eliminate their presence, we take important steps such as carefully choosing the locations of our crops, conducting soil testing as well as the testing of produce, water and other ingredients. Healthcare professionals and caregivers can be confident that all Gerber foods and beverages are high-quality and safe.
All of our foods meet our safety and quality standards, which are among the strictest in not just the U.S., but the world. We thoroughly oversee all levels of the growing and the production process. All Gerber foods meet regulatory requirements and guidelines. Where government standards don’t currently exist, we develop our own high standards by evaluating the latest food safety guidance.
- Our standards are based on guidance from sources like the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, the European Food Safety Authority and the World Health Organization.
- We strongly support the FDA Closer to Zero Action Plan and welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the FDA and other stakeholders to advance this important effort to continue to reduce the levels of heavy metals in infant and toddler foods. Strong standards are good for babies, parents and our industry.
- We regularly test our ingredients, randomly test finished foods and beverages and work closely with our suppliers and growers to achieve very high quality. And we make sure all our ingredients, foods and beverages are kept safe and wholesome on their journey from our kitchens to the store shelf.
- All our testing is conducted by in-house, ISO-accredited labs, meaning they follow international standards for analytical reliability. Our labs go even further, attending industry roundtables and partnering with other outside labs to refine methods, all to ensure we are always striving to use the most current methods. Like you, as medical providers, the health and safety of little ones is our highest priority, which is why we never compromise on the quality of our foods and beverages.
We remain fully committed to being industry leaders in safe, quality nutrition for infants and young children. As part of our dedication, we will continue to set – and follow – strict standards for the safety and quality of our foods.
Additional Resources
Our Commitment to Safety
We don't just make any food, we're in the business of baby food. Our team of experts are constantly looking at new ways of growing, testing, and making food that's healthy for baby and the environment.
Farmed for BabyUnlike any other baby brand, we have dedicated Gerber Farms - and many of these farms have been with us for generations. Our agricultural experts carefully select the seeds, soil, and location -because even our farmers feed their own babies the same produce that goes into every jar.
Approved for BabyWe not only trace every fruit and veggie back to the farm, fields, and farmer-we check, verify, and approve every step of the way. From seeding to feeding, our testing methods are internationally acclaimed and set the standard for what goes into feeding our babies-and all babies.
Healthy for BabyThe health and safety of your little one has been and will always be our highest priority. We're a leader in infant nutrition, not because we grow food that will simply feed your little one, but because we know what nourishment your little one needs.