On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public notice establishing guidance on lead in processed foods for infants and young children. The key points are as follows: processed foods for the purposes of this guidance are packaged foods (e.g., jars, pouches, tubs, or boxes) that are represented or claimed to be intended for infants and young children under the age of two years, and may include ready-to-eat foods (e.g., such as purees) as well as semi-prepared foods (e.g., dry cereals for infants). The lead content of processed foods for infants and young children is:

(1) Less than 10 parts per billion (ug/kg) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat mixtures), yogurt, custard/pudding, and single-ingredient meats;

(2) Single-ingredient root and tuber vegetables is less than or equal to 20ug/kg;

(3) Less than 20ug/kg for dry infant cereals.This notice will be published in the January 7, 2025 Federal Register and will take effect.