Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Prenatal vitamins are an important part of family planning. In fact, many who wish to become pregnant often start taking them well before the two pink lines appear.
These vitamins are meant to help the body prepare for sharing nutrition for two and maintain healthy levels of key vitamins and minerals throughout the pregnancy. But some unsuspecting consumers may be getting more than what’s on the label.
Heavy metals!
A recent peer-reviewed study found heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in a significant number of prenatal vitamins tested.
California lawmakers want to make sure this doesn’t happen.
This recent study, published in Environmental Research, revealed that 15 percent of prenatal vitamins exceeded lead levels outlined in California’s Proposition 65. A safety threshold that limits lead quantities to 0.5 micrograms per serving.
This study put 156 prenatal vitamins, nine prescription prenatal supplements, and 19 folate/folic acid supplements to the test.
Researchers found that 15% of commercially available prenatal vitamins contained more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving. The average lead concentration was 79 parts per billion (ppb). Though at least one commercially available prenatal vitamin contained lead at a concentration of 900 ppb.
Prescription prenatal supplements were even worse. The average lead concentration in these supplements was 91 ppb, with at least one of those topping out at 2,380 ppb. One third of these prescription prenatal supplements exceeded the 0.5 micrograms per serving in violation of California’s Proposition 65.
Tested folic acid/folate supplements were much better. None exceeded the 0.5 micrograms per serving limit and the most lead observed was 260 ppb.
While this information is horrifying, to say the least. It is on par with previous findings on the topic.
In fact, a 2023 Government Accountability Office report indicated even more dire statistics. In this report, data revealed that half of the prenatal vitamins sampled contained lead. Many also contained cadmium.
How are these supplements still on the market?
Sadly, despite these vitamins containing lead, they were below what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers safe.
The FDA has a daily exposure limit of 8.8 micrograms per day for those who are pregnant. A fairly high limit when research shows that “even low levels of exposure can pose serious risk to fetal development.”
Despite there being a limit, however ineffective, there is little oversight.
“U.S. law does not require vitamin companies to test for heavy metals or disclose test results to the public,” said Melanie Benesh, Environmental Working Group’s vice president for government affairs. “This lack of oversight leaves the industry with no accountability and creates zero transparency for consumers.”
California S.B. 646 was introduced in February. If enacted, this legislation would make California the first state to require certain routine testing and public disclosure of the outcomes of those tests for prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal vitamin manufacturers will be required to regularly test representative samples of their products. As early as 2027 this requirement may come to fruition. Additionally, the results of these tests must be available online for the public to view.
A QR code will be required on the product label that will easily link the consumer to the results of these tests. A move that EWG’s vice president for government affairs, Melanie Benesh, explains “will empower consumers with the information they need and drive industry-wide reform.”
This potential legislation for testing for lead prenatal vitamins is not a completely new concept.
A previous California bill, Assembly Bill 899 passed in 2023. This bill made testing and public availability of results required by 2025. A successful movement that has already shown positive impact.
A preliminary review of data indicates that baby food manufacturers have significantly reduced lead levels in their product in 2024. Likely in anticipation that the information will soon be made available to the public.
Prenatal lead exposure can cause serious health risks in not only the pregnant person taking the supplement, but also to the fetus growing on mom’s nutrients.
Unleaded kids, a non-profit advocacy group explains that even low levels of exposure can cause harm.
Both human and animal epidemiologic studies have shown that blood lead levels, even those below 5 micrograms per deciliter, have shown evidence of harm. Causing cognitive effects in children.
Studies have shown that even blood lead levels below 5 micrograms per deciliter have also impacted attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity behaviors in children.
Childhood exposure and cumulative buildup over time has shown cognitive effects in adults as well. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that adults are also vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure.
Lead exposure impacts blood pressure. New studies have shown that lead increases blood pressure. This impact effects changes in physiology and increased risk of cardiovascular-related death.
Recent studies indicate that blood lead levels at or below 5 micrograms per deciliter have an impact on the kidneys.
Even low blood lead levels have shown developmental effects. Recent studies have shown that lead exposure can contribute to delays in onset of puberty in both males and females.
Recent epidemiologic studies have even shown impacts to male reproductive function. Lead exposure has been associated with decreased sperm/semen production and quality.
Following the initial hearing in the Senate Health Committee, the bill made it to the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee. On April 30, 2024, the bill passed that critical step.
It now goes on to the Appropriations Committee.
Will the bill pass?
Most likely.
The state of California has been a leader in environmental and health safety. A driver that has impacts across the country. Large corporations are unlikely to provide specific products or packaging to a single state. The other 49 states will likely benefit from these requirements as well.
Considering similar legislation has passed, it is likely that we could see a phased rollout in this product in the coming years.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Moms-to-Be Want Unleaded Prenatal Vitamins and Recent California Legislation May Make That Happen,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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