Pesticides In Baby Food: Why You Should Go Organic

Worried about pesticides in baby food affecting your loved ones? This article will help to ease your fears about feeding your family by guiding you to eat a cleaner organic diet that will benefit you and baby. 

The thought of pesticides in our children’s food is not a nice thought for anyone. It is important to get a thorough understanding of the extent of pesticides in baby food, so an informed decision can be made about buying your favorite brands.

This is particularly relevant as babies and young children are much more susceptible to the effects of pesticides than adults are. It may be decided that the best solution is to solely provide your baby with organic food to ensure there are little or no pesticides present.

Interestingly enough, according to the Organic Trade Association, 8 in 10 parents bought organic food in 2014 and 51% of families bought more organic products in 2014 that in 2012.

More and more people are choosing organic produce than ever before with the organic market bringing in $35.9 billion in 2014, the majority of which was produce and other food products. 

Purpose Of Pesticides in Food

In agriculture, pesticides are very widely used as they help protect crops from damage, for example from insects and other organisms. Ultimately, this helps to keep the cost of food down, as production costs are much lower.

The main way of avoiding pesticides in baby food is to only purchase organic baby food and organic baby formulas. While this may be more expensive and less convenient, it is the easiest way to guarantee you know what you are feeding your baby.

Different types of pesticides help control unwanted plants, insects, and microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. While pesticides are effective at killing the insect or bacteria they are designed to target, unfortunately, they are much more general in their approach.

Exposure to pesticides, through working in an environment in which they are used such as a farm, eating pesticide-infected food or inhaling pesticide contaminated air is unfortunately a common occurrence.

The Dangers of Pesticides in Food

One study found that pesticides can lead to ADHD in children. Other studies have found many links to pesticides and cancer and even raise your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. 

Pesticides are more susceptible to children since they eat more in relation to their body weight than adults do and yes, pesticides are also very harmful to your unborn baby. 

Types Of Food That Could Contain Pesticides

While it is hard to specifically identify which foods will always have pesticides present and in what levels, it is possible to discuss the main foods, which you are likely to feed your young child.

It is worth noting that it is not only foods that contain pesticides; water has been shown to have similar levels to the food we eat. Thankfully, your standard Brita filter should be able to remove them. 

Each year the foods that contain the highest and lowest levels of pesticides are identified by the Environmental Working Group. If you choose not to go totally organic, focusing on the items that have the least exposure to pesticides will be a perfectly acceptable substitute.

The EWG produces a list of the best and worst fruits and vegetables when it comes to pesticide exposure.

Foods such as apples, potatoes, berries, spinach, peppers, and grapes top the list for the worst levels of pesticides. In contrast, foods such as sweetcorn, mangos, and onions have significantly less exposure to pesticides.

Risks Of Using Baby Food That Includes Pesticides

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t feed your baby any foods that have come into contact with pesticides. The main reasons, such as the effects on health, are discussed below.

• Pesticides have been shown to cause changes to the brain’s chemistry
• Studies have shown exposure to pesticides, both in utero and as a young child can contribute to developmental delay
• A baby’s brain is still growing and developing, and is therefore vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. Exposure to such chemicals can interrupt vital developmental processes such as tissue growth
• Children’s digestive systems are still developing, and therefore they are more likely to absorb the pesticides into their bodies
• Pesticides have been shown to block vital nutrients from being absorbed into the body
• Certain pesticides have been shown to significantly increase the rate of certain cancers in childhood

Going Organic

The main way of avoiding pesticides in baby food is to only purchase organic baby food. While this may be more expensive and less convenient, it is the easiest way to guarantee you know what you are feeding your baby.

It is worth noting that organic does not necessarily mean completely pesticide free; worldwide guidelines vary, but it is not uncommon for the requirement for items to be made from 70%+ organic ingredients. Learn more in our Complete Guide to Eating Clean.

Alternatively, a cheaper way to ensure you know exactly what you are feeding your child is to grow your own fruit and vegetables and make your own baby food using that produce. This way you have complete control over the whole process, from seed to dinner table.

Here is an easy way to start eating more organic foods and even more clean eating tips to help you on your organic journey. 

Related reading: The Health Benefits of Eating Clean