Make your own baby food

Parents have been advised to consider making their own baby food after the discovery of a toxin linked to cancer in jars of manufactured food sold all over the world.

The alarm was raised yesterday after experts at the European Food Safety Authority confirmed the discovery of semicarbazide, which can damage DNA, in a range of products, including baby food.

Experts in Brussels and London believe that the risks are small, but so little is known about semicarbazide or its threat to human health that many consumers may decide to boycott some products. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said last night that if parents wished to play safe they should make their babies’ and infants’ food themselves, but it did not go so far as to advise against buying bottled foods.

The European agency said that the toxin was getting into food through the plastic gaskets used to seal glass jars with metal twist-off lids, although experts could not say how much. Scientists who assessed the risks to babies and toddlers concluded: “It would be prudent to reduce exposure to semicarbazide as swiftly as technologically possible.”

The toxin is also found in jams, ketchup, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, honey, some fruit juices and sauces. The experts believe the risks to consumers are low and therefore have not ordered supermarkets to clear their shelves of products. However, they are concerned that the very young could be most at risk.

Sir John Krebs, chairman of the FSA, said: “These jars are commonly used for baby food and so parents may understandably be concerned by the continuing uncertainty, which may lead some parents to choose alternative foods for their babies.”

The agency’s website advises parents not to make smaller portions read more