Toxic Pesticides Contaminate Target’s Baby Food
Lab tests reveal residues of 12 highly hazardous pesticides in baby food from Target’s Good & Gather lineWASHINGTON — A new investigation led by Friends of the Earth found an alarming number of pesticide residues in baby food manufactured and sold by Target (NYSE: TGT) under its house brand Good & Gather. Lab tests of two items – the non-organic apple and the pear fruit purees for babies – revealed the presence of 21 pesticides, including 12 classified as highly hazardous to human health or the environment.
Neonicotinoid pesticides were present in 100% of the baby food samples tested. These chemicals have been linked to birth defects of the heart and brain, learning disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, damage to the nervous system, and hormone disruption. Neonicotinoids are also among the most ecologically disastrous pesticides since DDT. U.S. agriculture has become nearly 48 times more toxic to insects, including essential pollinators like bees, since the introduction of neonicotinoids. And they are a critical factor driving over 200 endangered species toward extinction, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Organophosphate pesticide metabolites (meaning the breakdown products of pesticides) were also found in 100% of the baby food samples. Scientists have called for a complete ban on organophosphates, as they are known to be highly toxic to children’s developing brains, even at low levels of exposure. They are associated with reduced IQ, attention disorders, delayed motor development, and learning disabilities. They have also been shown to harm bees, birds, and aquatic organisms like fish.
In addition, ten of the pesticides found in Target’s baby food are linked to endocrine disruption. Incredibly small amounts of endocrine disrupting chemicals – the equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic swimming pools – can alter brain development, hormones, immune systems, and more.
Babies are particularly vulnerable to the harms of pesticides. Their brains and bodies are developing so rapidly that small exposures can result in lifelong impacts. Children also have greater exposure to pesticides than adults because they eat more per pound of their body weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics asserts that “children’s exposure to pesticides should be limited as much as possible.”
“Pesticides are poisons. The latest science is clear that small exposures to pesticides matter and that cumulative exposures add up, particularly in tiny, rapidly developing babies,” said Kendra Klein, PhD, deputy director of science at Friends of the Earth. “As a mom and scientist, it’s particularly alarming that we found so many toxic pesticides in food intended for babies. Access to clean food is a human right – especially for our kids, who are most vulnerable. ”
Five pesticides classified as highly toxic to bees and three classified as highly toxic to aquatic organisms such as fish were detected in Target’s baby food, raising serious concerns about negative impacts to biodiversity in Target’s food and beverage supply chains.
Food retailers including The Kroger Company (NYSE: KR), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: AMZN), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), and Giant Eagle have released pollinator health policies in response to Friends of the Earth’s Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard that include time bound commitments aimed at reducing pesticide use in their fresh produce supply chains. While Target has created a pollinator health policy, it does not include specific metrics for transitioning away from pesticide use, advancing safer methods of farming like organic agriculture, or a timeline for implementation. Research shows organic food rapidly and dramatically reduces children’s exposure to pesticides.
“Target is behind the curve in addressing the serious harms to human health and biodiversity caused by the toxic pesticides in its supply chain,” said Sarah Starman, senior food and agriculture campaigner at Friends of the Earth. “A trusted company like Target can and must do better for our kids and all of us.”
Since January, Friends of the Earth and more than 40 other environmental and public health organizations across the country have been calling on Target to address pesticide use in its supply chain. Target has not responded to these calls. The coalition of organizations urging Target to act on pesticides includes Center for Food Safety, People & Pollinator Action Network, Eko, Re:wild Your Campus, Beyond Pesticides, and GreenAmerica.
Expert contact: Kendra Klein, 415-350-5957, [email protected]