When our daughter’s lead test came back elevated, we were surprised but also grateful we had asked for it.
We live in an older home, so we knew lead exposure was a possibility. At her 15-month checkup, we requested the test just to be cautious. We hadn’t seen any warning signs and weren’t overly worried, but we wanted to be thorough.
Once we got the results, we started trying to figure out where the lead might be coming from. We tested our home. We checked our water filters. We began looking more closely at the foods and snacks she was eating.
That’s when I came across Lead Safe Mama, a resource I hadn’t known about before. I already knew that some baby products like pouches and formula had tested for lead in the past. But I was surprised to see that some of the very snacks we had been giving her, products from reputable brands, were still testing with elevated levels of lead.
The Unexpected Sources of Lead in Baby and Toddler Food
As we searched for answers, we found two key resources that every parent should know about:
- Consumer Reports has tested dozens of baby and toddler products, including pouches, snacks, and formulas. Their investigations have found that many contain elevated levels of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
- Lead Safe Mama, an independent testing resource, has found similar results. Her team tests everyday products, including popular snacks and household items, and publishes detailed reports online.
Some of the very snacks we had been giving our daughter showed up on those lists.
These were familiar, widely available snacks from brands we had come to trust. They were marketed as organic or allergy-friendly, and nothing about them raised red flags until we saw the testing data.
The Problem with Root-Based Ingredients
Cassava and other root vegetables, like arrowroot, are common in toddler snacks, especially those labeled grain-free or gluten-free. These ingredients may sound harmless, but they come with a hidden risk. Because root plants pull nutrients from deep in the soil, they can also absorb heavy metals like lead if the soil is contaminated.
Labels like “clean,” “natural,” and “organic” can sound reassuring, but they don’t guarantee a product has been tested for heavy metals. In some cases, the snacks with the healthiest branding have shown some of the highest lead levels in independent tests.
Lead is a naturally occurring element, and some exposure in food may be unavoidable. It is found in soil, water, and even the air. But experts agree that no level of lead is considered safe for young children. Because their bodies are still developing, even small amounts can build up over time and have lasting effects on brain development, learning ability, behavior, and growth. While we may not be able to eliminate every trace of lead from our children’s diets, being aware of higher-risk ingredients and products can help us make more mindful choices.
After reading the test results, we removed cassava-based snacks from our pantry. We tried one arrowroot-based option as an alternative, but it didn’t stay in rotation for long. We focused on more whole foods instead, like fresh fruits, vegetables, and less processed choices that felt safer while we figured things out.
By the time of our daughter’s next lead test, her levels had dropped. That gave us some peace of mind. But it also left us wondering how many other families have no idea this risk even exists.
What We Learned About Lead Testing
Our child’s blood lead level was 7 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), which is more than double the CDC’s current reference level of 3.5 µg/dL. That is the point at which action is recommended.
There is debate around the exact thresholds, but one thing is clear: no amount of lead is considered safe for young children. Even low levels can affect brain development, attention, and behavior.
What stood out to us was how unclear the process actually is. Some parents we spoke to had their children tested at regular intervals, while others said it was never mentioned unless there was a known risk. In our case, we had to bring it up and ask for it directly. There doesn’t seem to be a consistent standard, which makes it easy for elevated levels to go unnoticed.
We also found out that how the test is done can affect the results. At 15 months and again during the retest a few weeks later, our daughter had a heel stick. This type of capillary test is common in younger toddlers, but it can sometimes give a false positive if there is any lead residue on the skin. It is considered a good screening tool, but if levels come back high, many pediatricians will recommend a follow-up blood draw from the arm, which is more accurate.
All of this made us realize how many variables are at play. From when a test is offered to how it is performed and where it is sent, the process is not always as straightforward as we expected.
What Parents Can Do
If you are feeling overwhelmed, start small. These are a few things that helped us feel more informed and in control:
1. Ask for a lead test
Even if your pediatrician hasn’t brought it up, you can request one. It is a simple blood test and can help catch exposure early, before symptoms appear.
2. Take a closer look at what is in your pantry
Read the ingredient labels on snacks, especially if they include cassava, arrowroot, rice flour, or other root-based starches. These ingredients often show up in grain-free, gluten-free, and toddler-targeted foods, but they can carry a higher risk of heavy metal contamination.
3. Use trusted resources
Two places we found incredibly helpful:
These sites share test results for snacks, utensils, formulas, dishes, and other everyday items.
4. Look for brands that test and publish results
Some companies voluntarily test their products for heavy metals and post the results publicly. It takes extra effort to find them, but that kind of transparency gave us peace of mind. The pouches we buy now, ones that are regularly tested, cost almost four dollars each. It is a tradeoff, and not always an easy one, but for us it felt worth it while we worked through the options.
5. Keep things simple when you can
We focused on fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-processed staples while we figured out which packaged foods we could trust. It is not about being perfect. Awareness is the first step, and informed choices can follow.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t write this to scare anyone. I am not a doctor or an expert. I am just a parent who asked a question and got a troubling answer.
Lead exposure isn’t only an issue in old homes. It can show up in places most parents wouldn’t think to look, like snacks, pouches, and formulas made specifically for babies and toddlers.
It is also entirely possible that your child has consumed these same products and never had an elevated level. I have seen plenty of comments from parents who say their kids are fine, even after using snacks or pouches that tested high. I don’t know all the answers. Maybe it comes down to how much or how often something is eaten. Maybe it is something else entirely. This is just our experience, and I am sharing it in case it is helpful to someone who is trying to figure things out too.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly. But paying attention, asking questions, and staying curious can help you make decisions that feel right for your family.
Columbia TN Kids Guide 
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