Are current regulatory limits for food contaminants suitable for infants and children

The ever-increasing reports of the presence of potentially toxic chemicals in foods intended for infants and young children cause alarm amongst the public and pose problems for the regulatory bodies who set limits for chemical contaminants in foods. In this Viewpoint article, we wish to bring attention to the fact that infants and children represent special subgroups of the population for which specific safety considerations should be considered. We propose the application of a scientific, risk-based strategy for the establishment of regulatory standards for food products aimed at this age group. Such an approach will allow the limited resources available to be focused proactively on reducing health risks, rather than reacting to perceived emotional issues.