An Act providing for the testing and labeling of baby food and for prohibited levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This act, the Baby Food Protection Act, aims to ensure the safety of baby food sold in Pennsylvania by requiring testing for toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. It establishes limits for these metals and mandates that baby food manufacturers label their products with the levels detected. The Department of Health will oversee testing and labeling, and adapt to any federal regulations regarding baby food safety.
Key provisions
- Requires testing of baby food batches for inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
- Sets specific limits for each toxic heavy metal in baby food.
- Mandates labeling of baby food with levels of detected toxic heavy metals.
- Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules and regulations for implementation.
- Allows the Department to adopt lower federal limits if they are stricter than state limits.
- Provides a mechanism for the act to expire if federal legislation is enacted that aligns with its provisions.
- Defines ‘baby food’ as food easily consumed by babies and toddlers under two years old.
Who is affected
- Baby food manufacturers
- Parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers
- The Department of Health
- The Pennsylvania Retailers
- Consumers of baby food
Notable changes
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 0489 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
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