Red markings on Lady Lane Farms glass milk bottles, Garry’s Meadow Fresh: 20,500 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids).

Originally posted: June 16, 2018
Updated: January 14, 2020 – Update at bottom of post.

When the red paint on these reusable glass milk bottles was tested with an XRF instrument it was positive for lead at levels as high as 20,500 +/- 500 ppm and for cadmium at 1118 +/- 48 ppm.

To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here.

There is currently (to my knowledge) no regulatory standard for lead-in-paint on glass used for food consumption and food packing purposes (as we noted last year with the Green Sprouts sippy cups that were decorated with lead painted measurement markings on the glass interior portion of the sippy cup, yet the CPSC chose not to issue a recall for the product.)

That said, generally (when people in the CPSC have not lost their minds) products that are intended for use by children are not allowed to have lead in the paint or coating at levels above 90 parts per million.

Reusable glass milk jugs are not considered to be items intended for children.

Cadmium is considered toxic in items intended for children in the 40 to 75 ppm range. Cadmium is a known carcinogen.

To learn more about Cadmium toxicity, Click Here.

PLEASE NOTE: Straus Family Creamery in California has similar milk jugs and they are painted with lead-free and cadmium-free paint! #KnowBetterDoBetter: If it is possible to use lead-free options we should!

Here is the letter I wrote to the company today to tell them about this finding and also about the possibility of lead-free options.

I will not be buying this milk for my children (my youngest is not vegan!) until they have a lead-free option for their bottles.

January 2020 Update:

It is my understand that, in response to the above linked letter (which was accompanied by a complaint to the company from my friend Katie as well), the company pledged to remove the Lead from their bottles and has done so. I have not yet tested their new bottles to confirm they are lead free, but will do so as soon as I have the opportunity. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts!

Sincerely,

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama