5 ON YOUR SIDE: Baby formula safety

Recent recalls involving baby food and infant formula have raised new questions about what’s in these products. Consumer Reports recently tested nearly 50 baby foods for heavy metals and other contaminants, and the latest results are more reassuring than they were a few years ago.

When Consumer Reports tested baby and toddler foods in 2018, roughly two-thirds of the products contained potentially harmful levels of at least one heavy metal. This time, the results were much better: 96 percent of the 48 baby foods tested had heavy metal levels below Consumer Reports’ level of concern.

Consumer Reports’ Jessica Waller says that’s good news, but the products were not completely free of contaminants.

Consumer Reports tested cereals, purée pouches and jars, puffs, teething biscuits, and juice from 11 brands. Two product...