Voyager Milk is proud to abide by the nation's strictest safety standards from California that were enacted with AB899 which includes testing and disclosure of 4 toxic elements: arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
Voyager Products have always been tested for these elements, and going forward, all products produced after January 2025 will have QR code on the back pouch that consumers can scan to view results. While not explicitly required for Toddler Milks, we've always prioritized quality so we're holding ourselves to the strictest standards.
Assembly Bill 899 (AB 899) is a significant piece of legislation signed into law in California on October 10, 2023. This bill aims to enhance the safety of baby food by requiring manufacturers to test and disclose the levels of four toxic elements—arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—present in baby food products. Here's why AB 899 is important:
Transparency and Consumer Protection
AB 899 mandates that baby food manufacturers test their products for toxic elements at least once a month and disclose the results on their websites starting January 1, 2025. This transparency allows parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about the food they provide to their children, ensuring that they are aware of any potential risks.
Health and Safety
The presence of toxic elements in baby food can pose serious health risks to infants and young children. By setting stringent testing requirements and disclosure standards, AB 899 helps to minimize these risks and protect the health of the youngest and most vulnerable consumers.
Industry Accountability
AB 899 holds baby food manufacturers accountable for the safety of their products. By requiring regular testing and public disclosure of test results, the bill promotes accountability and encourages manufacturers to maintain high safety standards.
Consumer Empowerment
With the information provided by AB 899, consumers can better understand the safety of the baby food they purchase. This empowerment allows them to choose products that meet their safety standards and avoid those that do not.
Setting a Precedent
California's AB 899 sets a precedent for other states and countries to follow, potentially leading to broader changes in baby food safety regulations worldwide. This could result in a global improvement in the safety and quality of baby food products.
Packaging Requirements
Starting January 1, 2024, baby food manufacturers must test a representative sample of their final baby food products for levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at least once a month. Additionally, if a product is tested for a certain toxic element subject to an action level, regulatory limit, or tolerance established by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers must include on the product label a quick response (QR) code that links to a page on the manufacturer’s internet website containing test results for the toxic element and a link to related FDA guidance.
In summary, AB 899 is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of infants and young children by promoting transparency, accountability, and consumer empowerment in the baby food industry. It represents a significant advancement in food safety legislation and sets a strong example for others to follow.
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