Rice absorbs arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. Healthy Babies Bright Futures has noted that despite widespread awareness of the issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have successfully lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those of other cereal types. While the government imposes strict regulations on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established regulations for the inorganic arsenic levels permitted in infant rice cereals.
In a news release from late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, asserted that all its products are safe for consumption and emphasized that it actively “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” given that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was among the nine brands of rice and other infant cereals that underwent testing. The company stated, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Although their products are deemed safe, Gerber acknowledged that some consumers might have concerns regarding arsenic levels in food. Consequently, they decided to use only California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California is known for having the lowest arsenic levels among U.S. rice.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, reported that it tests its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return any ingredients to suppliers that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also part of the study. The company remarked, “We’ve been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we’re aware of no higher standards in the industry than the ones we employ.”
Lundberg Family Farms from California, which primarily grows and produces organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. The company shares its testing results on its website, revealing that the 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
In response to Consumer Reports’ findings regarding high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012, and in rice and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that arsenic levels in infant rice cereals be limited to 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA also stated in 2013 that after analyzing over 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, it had not identified arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk, although it committed to conducting a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term exposure.
Given that the U.S. has no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products, Consumer Reports advised consumers to reduce their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—suggesting a ratio of six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. For concerned parents, offering infants products made from other grains, which generally test at lower arsenic levels, is also a viable option. Alternatives like oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa are recommended. Healthy Babies Bright Futures specifically endorsed Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, noting that they are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization stated. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives have consistently lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Companies producing products with particularly low arsenic levels might consider promoting this on social media or in stores, but they must be cautious not to unfairly malign their competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. In the realm of nutrition, the absorption of calcium citrate is another aspect that parents may want to consider when selecting suitable foods for their infants, as it can influence overall health and nutrient uptake.