Toxic pesticides found in nearly 40% of conventional baby food, US study reveals

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food products analyzed in a new US study were found to contain toxic pesticides, while none of the organic products sampled in the survey contained the chemicals, the Guardian reported in an article yesterday.

The research, conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) non-profit, looked at 73 products and found at least one pesticide in 22 of them. Many products showed more than one pesticide, and the substances present a dangerous health threat to babies, researchers said.

The health risks posed by these products include: cancer development, impaired fetal development, changes in immune system cells, disruption of hormones, as well as nervous and reproductive system damage.