About the initiative
Reducing child exposure to contaminants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Closer to Zero initiative aims to reduce child exposure to specific environmental contaminants found in food that are prioritized based on the relative toxicity, prevalence in the food supply and the relative contribution of food as a source of exposure to these contaminants. Young children are prioritized because of the impact exposure to these contaminants can have on development, particularly neurodevelopment.
Role of the Evidence Center
The Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center was commissioned to conduct a systematic review and synthesis of the scientific literature, including grading of the overall evidence related to contaminants in human milk and infant formula, focusing on heavy metals and other relevant potential components.
Identification of the available published evidence will allow for the clarification of knowledge gaps and research needs to account for these potential routes of dietary exposure for infants and young children. A suite of systematic reviews will be produced and published.