New Illinois bill could ban sale, distribution of baby food containing toxic heavy metals

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers could pass a plan this spring to remove toxic heavy metals from baby food. A suburban Senate Democrat was inspired to file the bill after talking about the issue with her chief of staff.

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) hopes to ban people from selling, distributing or offering baby food in Illinois that contains arsenic, cadmium, lead or mercury.

"Many people don't even know that this is an issue," Fine said. "When you think you are doing something healthy for your child, it is a big wake up call to find out that it's actually backfiring."

Baby food manufacturers would be required to test products for each toxic heavy metal. Companies could then be forced to provide test results to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"We know that some of the heavy metals, if they are consumed, can cause major health issues in a growing child. We want to avoid that," Fine said.

Senate Bill 73 also calls for manufacturers to tell consumers the name and level of each toxic heavy metal present in their products by January 1, 2027. It also requires companies to include the product name, universal product code, lot or batch number to help people identify the product.

Manufacturers would also be required to include a QR code for people to scan to find more information about their heavy metal testing as well.

"We want to make sure in Illinois that we are one step ahead and we don't have to wait for the federal government to get this done for us," Fine said. "We can immediately start protecting our children."

If the plan becomes law, consumers could have the ability to report toxic baby food to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Fine filed the proposal Monday. The legislation could be assigned to a Senate committee when lawmakers return to Springfield in two weeks.