Gerber? Baby food?

Question

I just had a family member of mine tell me not to feed my daughter any baby food because it’s not safe for them.. I, honestly haven’t done research about it. So for those of you that already know about this topic can you inform me a little more?... Since that was all she told me “don’t give your baby baby-food” and didn’t give me no article nothing. Why is not safe? What should I feed her then?

Answer

So there has been recent research on baby food and chemical in it and metals. Essentially these chemicals and metals get into the food by the soil and somehow become worse with the processing.
Here is my take on this. Do what you can however you decide is best. There are articles on everything and why it is potentially bad for you. So take it with a grain of salt. 
Personally pouches or jar food was easy. We didn't use it much as we did baby lead weaning and I made mostly organic homemade food for us as a family. So for instance if I roasted sweet potatoes I would use a food processor ($9 one from target) and puree it. Or mashed up avocado or banana. This also saved money as pre packaged can be expensive. I would make a bunch of things and also freeze it so nothing would go bad and it helped save money.
Just want you to know you don't have to feel bad because someone else does it differently or doesn't agree with how you parent. We are all just doing our best as mom's and however you feed your baby I am sure is great. Best wishes.

Answer

There have been claims that baby food and even formula isnt good for babies due to "home testing" where people use things like magnets to "prove" the existence of heavy metals and such.
Baby food and formula is tested and safe. This song and dance has been happening on and off since the 1970s. I wouldnt put too much credence in it.

Answer

She is probably responding to these recent reports about baby food companies knowingly selling baby food with significantly higher levels of heavy metals than is deemed safe:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/02/04/health/baby-food-heavy-metal-toxins-wellness/index.html
Every news organization was reporting about this a couple weeks ago; I just chose the CNN version randomly.
I was already on the fence about baby food as it is mostly made from waste products, (or so some people allege). My pediatrician told me not to give baby any root vegetables that were NOT prepackaged baby food, as the companies source their produce from areas of the country and individual farms that test the lowest for heavy metals, so the organic carrots at the local farmer's market could have significantly higher levels. This new report kind of makes it look look that isn't as true as it should be. Personally I think I will wait untill baby is a little older before feeding her rice and root vegetables, and just focus on the foods that have lower levels.

Gerber? Baby food?

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