Plum Organics Settled Texas Baby Food Metal Case
The manufacturer has committed to new testing standards for heavy metals in baby food products sold across Texas.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Babies
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Plum Organics reached an agreement with the Texas attorney general to adopt specific testing standards for heavy metals in its baby food. Families in Texas can now search product test results online by lot number, UPC code, or best-by date to monitor the levels in their purchases.
Why it matters
This agreement addresses ongoing consumer concerns regarding the presence of toxic heavy metals in infant food products. It mandates stricter transparency, ensuring that manufacturers proactively verify safety levels before shipping items to store shelves.
The agreement establishes formal testing protocols based on FDA guidance for lead and European Union standards for cadmium and inorganic arsenic. These requirements for product safety, including a 10 ppb mercury limit, were formalized following a state investigation.
The players
Ken Paxton
The Attorney General of Texas who is currently leading a state-level investigation into heavy metal levels in baby food products.
Plum Organics
A manufacturer of infant and toddler food products that has committed to new testing protocols and public data disclosure.
The details
Under the new requirements, Plum Organics must refrain from shipping any product lots that exceed these established heavy metal concentrations. The company will now host a searchable public database where Texas consumers can input specific product information, such as the best-by date or UPC code, to view verified testing data. Additionally, QR codes on product packaging will provide direct access to testing results for items subject to FDA lead guidance.
Timeline
August 2025: The Texas Attorney General initiated an investigation into baby food manufacturers.
September 29, 2026: The agreement between the Attorney General and Plum Organics was officially announced.
Health Landscape
This settlement aligns product safety protocols with evolving FDA Guidance on Lead in Baby Food and broader international benchmarks for infant nutrition. It marks a shift toward localized transparency, providing parents with direct access to safety data previously unavailable at the shelf level.
Parents and caregivers in Texas can now verify the safety data of Plum Organics products by using the searchable database on the company's website. If you have concerns about the specific impact of heavy metals on your child, these reports are worth discussing with your pediatrician.
The takeaway
Transparency in infant food manufacturing is increasing through new disclosure requirements. You can track this issue by reviewing testing results for items in your pantry and asking your physician about current recommendations for minimizing heavy metal exposure in your child's diet.
Further reading
For more on infant safety and nutrition, visit our Babies section.
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Should all baby food companies be required to publish heavy metal testing results for their products?
