Baby Food Heavy Metals Autism Lawsuit Advances in California

Gerber Products Co. and other companies must keep facing a California couple’s lawsuit alleging their son’s autism is linked to heavy metals in baby food, after a state judge said the plaintiffs offered admissible expert testimony that the metals can cause neurodevelopmental disorders.

Lorenzo and Melissa Cantabrana allege their son Noah, now 7, ate foods contaminated with lead, mercury, and arsenic. They say the toxins caused his autism spectrum disorder and his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

They sued leading baby food makers and retailers Walmart and Ralphs in September 2021 in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County.

The companies denied ...