IDENTIFICATION AND REDUCTION OF SOURCES OF DIETARY LEAD IN THE UNITED-STATES

Lead, an environmental contaminant, originates from a variety of sourc es. For over two decades, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ha s made a number of efforts to reduce dietary lead exposure of the gene ral population, and especially of vulnerable subpopulations such as in fants and children and, indirectly, the foetus. Through cooperation wi th infant food manufacturers, reductions of about 80-90% in the lead c ontent of infant foods were achieved, primarily through eliminating th e use of cans for infant food products and following good manufacturin g practices. Another major reduction in dietary lead was realized by d iscontinuing the use of lead solder in domestically produced food cans . FDA has also taken steps to minimize or further reduce sources of le ad in the diet from lead glazes on ceramicware, leaded crystalware, di etary supplements, bottled water, and lead capsules on wine bottles. T hese actions have resulted in a considerable decrease in the exposure of the United States population to dietary lead.