Hypertension and Death from Consumption of Processed Baby Foods by Rats 1

Summary Some processed baby foods were lethal to hypertension-prone rats. Among 25 rats from a genetically hypertension-prone strain fed solely on such baby foods, all developed significant hypertension (averaging 180–190 mm Hg in the last 3 months of observation), 12 died, and 2 others became seriously ill during the 8 months of study. In contrast, the IS control rats maintained on a low sodium chow were all alive and their average pressure at 8 months was 141.4 mm Hg. Considerable evidence suggests that the difference in response of test and control groups was due to the high NaCl content added to the processed baby foods. This added NaCl is unnecessary for the health of infants. It may contribute to the later development of hypertension in genetically predisposed individuals.