Lesser Evil and Serenity Kids have addressed concerns raised by Consumer Reports by stating that they routinely test their raw ingredients and finished products for heavy metals, asserting their commitment to product safety. James Rogers, the head of food safety testing at Consumer Reports, advises that children should consume no more than half a serving of Lesser Evil’s Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend of Lil’ Puffs per day. For the other two puff varieties with elevated lead levels—Lesser Evil’s Lil’ Puffs Sweet Potato Apple Asteroid and Serenity Kids’ Tomato & Herb, Bone Broth puffs—experts recommend limiting intake to no more than 1.5 servings daily.
A company representative from Lesser Evil informed Food Dive, “All Lesser Evil products comply with current regulatory standards. We take pride in our best-in-class offerings, which meet GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) criteria and federal organic regulations. Food safety is our utmost concern, and we conduct rigorous testing on all our products in accordance with California Prop 65 and federal guidelines.” Serenity Kids did not provide a comment by the time of publication.
Lesser Evil positions its Lil’ Puffs line as a means to inspire children to enjoy healthy eating. For instance, their Intergalactic variety contains organic ingredients such as cassava flour, avocado oil, tapioca starch, and vegetable blends in red and green. However, Consumer Reports notes that studies indicate cassava and other root vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets, can accumulate high levels of lead.
Dr. Angelia Seyfferth from the University of Delaware’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences explains that lead can naturally occur in soil or be introduced through pollution, often accumulating in a plant’s root system. “Lead cannot travel far beyond the roots, so it doesn’t typically affect the above-ground parts of the plant,” she stated. The FDA emphasizes that there is no safe level of lead exposure, and while it cannot entirely eliminate lead from the food supply, it may be possible to lower levels through improved agricultural or manufacturing practices.
Jennie Shen, the director of brand marketing for Serenity Kids, mentioned in the report that the company continuously collaborates with suppliers to minimize heavy metal content in their products, acknowledging that heavy metals are widespread in the food system. Sami Rosnov, chief of operations at Corner Market Communications, which represents Lesser Evil, noted that lead is a natural occurrence resulting from years of pollution in our water and soil.
The FDA informed Consumer Reports that it plans to finalize regulations on lead levels in baby foods by the end of this year and in fruit juices by 2025, while still determining how to address heavy metals in snack foods. With the growing focus on food safety in the 21st century, including the importance of ingredients like calcium citrate for maintaining health, both companies remain under scrutiny as they strive to provide safe options for consumers.