Risks of Organic Baby Food

In recent years, people have become more concerned about pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, preservatives and other chemicals in their food. Accordingly, the trend has been to move to organic foods that are certified to be free of pesticides, preservatives and other chemicals. Likewise, parents want to give their baby the safest and most nutritious food available, which leads many to purchase baby food labeled as "organic." According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), baby food that does not have much acid content and has no preservatives might place your child at risk for food poisoning caused by bacterial contamination.

Pathogens

• Many soil pathogens can show up in food, especially those that occur in natural fertilizers such as manure. Organic farmers around the world often use animal manure as a natural fertilizer. But unless manure is composted properly, dangerous bacteria can multiply and find its way into food. A study by the University of Minnesota analyzed conventional, certified and non-certified organic farmers. According to the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, it found that growers who used manure or other natural compost fertilizer that had not been aged at least one year produced vegetables with coliform bacteria levels 19 times higher than vegetables that were treated with longer-aged material. Consequently, organic foods are more likely than conventionally grown foods to be contaminated with bacteria and mold toxins. E. coli, shigella and salmonella pose the greatest health risks. Organic producers who are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use properly composted manure, but uncertified growers are not bound by the regulation. There is no law to prohibit the use of uncomposted manure in the U.S. The USDA approves organic seals for foods that meet minimum organic ingredient amounts but does not make any assertion that organic foods are more nutritious or safer than non-organic foods.

Botulism

• There have also been reported instances of botulism contamination in organic baby food. According to the Mayo Clinic, infant botulism occurs when a baby consumes Clostridium botulinum bacteria spores in food. The spores grow in the intestine, where they release a powerful toxin. Botulism can be fatal, especially for infants; there are about 100 cases of botulism reported in the U.S. every year, with 72 percent of those cases reported as infant botulism, according to Wrong Diagnosis. According to the FDA, it recently warned the public about certain products, such as Earth's Best Apple Barley Peach baby food, due to a possible risk of botulism contamination. Plum Organics recalled some of its Select Batch of Apple and Carrot Portable Pouches because the acid level in its products did not meet FDA guidelines, which increases the risk of botulism contamination. More than 4,000 cases of baby food, each containing 24 jars, and more than 38,000 variety packs were recalled, and production was suspended pending an investigation, according to the FDA. Clostridium botulinum bacteria are extremely hardy and can survive cooking, unless the food is cooked for 10 minutes at more than 176 degrees Fahrenheit, as noted by the University of Florida, IFAS Extension website. The most effective way to guard against a potentially deadly botulism contamination is to use preservatives and sanitary food preparation practices.

Nitrates and Bacteria Contamination

• Homemade baby food made with organically grown vegetables and fruits is an alternative to buying ready-made organic food. As long as the food is prepared in a sanitary manner by washing it thoroughly before preparation, cooked at the appropriate temperature, and then stored properly afterwards, homemade baby food should be safe from bacterial contamination. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension says parents should not feed their baby homemade foods made with beets, carrots, spinach, collard greens or turnips, as there is a danger of a high concentration of nitrates in these vegetables. Nitrates interact with iron in blood and can cause anemia. Commercially prepared baby foods, whether organic or non-organic, are tested for nitrate levels according to FDA requirements. Consequently, a commercial product may be safer.