Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping investigation into major baby food manufacturers, alleging they’ve been selling products containing dangerous levels of heavy metals that could cause brain damage in infants and young children.
The investigation, which targets industry giants including Gerber and Plum Organics, focuses on the presence of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in baby foods. Paxton’s office has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) — essentially administrative subpoenas — to these companies, with plans to expand the probe to additional manufacturers in the coming weeks, according to a statement from his office.
“No parent should ever have to worry that the food they’re giving their children is filled with dangerously high levels of heavy metals,” Paxton said. “We will fight to end the broken system that has led to food products threatening the health of our children and secure justice for any parent misled by baby food manufacturers engaging in deceptive practices.”
Pattern of Food Safety Investigations
This isn’t Paxton’s first foray into food safety. The baby food investigation follows a series of similar probes targeting major food companies for allegedly deceptive marketing practices.
Just months ago, his office initiated an investigation into General Mills, alleging the company markets products as “healthy” while containing petroleum-based artificial food colorings linked to various health problems. The company received similar CIDs related to those alleged violations.
What’s driving this sudden focus on food safety? The baby food investigation appears to be part of a broader campaign targeting what Paxton describes as “deceptive practices” in the food industry, particularly those affecting children’s products.
Cereals and Candies Under Scrutiny
Kellogg’s has also found itself in Paxton’s crosshairs. The Texas AG is investigating whether the cereal giant violated state consumer protection laws by marketing products like Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes as “healthy” despite containing artificial dyes that have been linked to health risks.
“A critical part of fighting for our children’s future is putting an end to companies’ deceptive practices that are aimed at misleading parents and families about the health of food products,” Paxton said regarding the Kellogg’s investigation. “Artificial food colorings have been shown to have disastrous impacts on health, and in no world should foods that include these dyes be advertised as ‘healthy.'”
The investigations have also targeted candy maker Mars, Incorporated. Despite a 2016 pledge to remove artificial colors from its human food products globally, the company has yet to do so in the United States, even as it has made these changes in European markets. Paxton’s office issued a CID to Mars as part of this probe.
Notably, Paxton has framed these investigations as aligned with the Trump administration’s health initiatives. “I’m proud to stand with the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy in taking on petroleum-based synthetic dyes and will always fight to protect the health of the American people,” he stated.
Different Standards at Home and Abroad
One recurring theme in these investigations? The apparent double standard where companies reformulate products for European markets to remove controversial ingredients, while continuing to sell versions with those same ingredients to American consumers.
This practice has fueled criticism from consumer advocacy groups for years. Now it appears to be a central focus of Paxton’s food safety campaign.
“Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it’s the right thing to do,” Paxton said in a statement regarding the Mars investigation.
The baby food investigation represents perhaps the most serious of these probes, given the vulnerability of infants to neurotoxins and the potential long-term consequences of early exposure to heavy metals. Parents across Texas — and likely nationwide — will be watching closely as Paxton vows to “Make America Healthy Again.”
