Several popular baby food manufacturers are under fire for selling products containing toxic heavy metals. Climate change could be impacting seasonal lengths—leading to crop loss and environmental risks.

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In February, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy released a report indicating that seven popular brands of baby food are contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Those brands are HappyBABY, Beech-Nut, Earth’s Best Organic, Gerber, Plum Organics, Parent’s Choice, Sprout Organic Foods. In some products, the level of dangerous heavy metals is 200 times the safe amounts.

The report has set off a wave of lawsuits, including a class action filed by a Staten Island mother on Feb. 17 that alleges violations against parents as well as their children. The lawsuit focuses on the potential health risks of the children as well as the parents’ role as consumers: being fraudulently misled into purchasing products they were told were safe for their children. The complaint alleges violations of New York’s consumer protection statutes, and includes claims for intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty, negligence, gross negligence, and strict products liability.

Source: “Parent Files Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Toxic Heavy Metals in Baby Food Products,” Press Release, Feb. 23, 2021

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Climate change could cause summer weather to last half a year by the end of the century, according to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. While some may welcome the warmer weather, this extended season could significantly impact our health, the environment and agriculture.

A shorter winter and earlier spring could mean disastrous losses for crops, as they could face drastic cold snaps after budding. It could also limit the types of crops grown and increase demand for irrigation.

The changing of the seasons will likely also increase the occurrence of wildfires, storms and heatwaves, the study warns.

Source: “By the end of the century, summer weather could last half a year (and that’s not a good thing),” CNN, March 23, 2021; study, “Changing Lengths of the Four Seasons by Global Warming,” Geophysical Research Letters