Rice has a greater ability to absorb arsenic from soil and water compared to other grains, resulting in higher concentrations of this heavy metal in infant rice cereals. Healthy Babies Bright Futures reported that since significant discussions regarding this issue began five years ago, there has been no indication that manufacturers have lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereal types. While the government imposes strict limits on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established regulations for allowable inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereal.
In a news release at the end of October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, asserted that all of its products are safe for consumption, emphasizing that they “monitor and control for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” as arsenic can naturally occur during rice cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands of rice and infant cereals included in the study. The company stated, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Although they confirm the safety of their products, Gerber acknowledges that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in food. Consequently, they decided earlier this year to exclusively use California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals, citing that California rice has the lowest arsenic levels of any rice grown in the United States.
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 reject any ingredients that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also included in the study. The company noted, “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, based in California and primarily focused on producing organic rice and snacks, has been monitoring inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years, with test results available on its website. Their 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ findings on elevated arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012, and in rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that arsenic levels in infant rice cereals be capped at 100 parts per billion. However, in 2013, the FDA stated that after analyzing over 1,300 rice samples, it had not detected arsenic levels high enough to present an immediate health risk, although a comprehensive risk assessment was planned to evaluate long-term exposure risks.
Since the U.S. currently lacks federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products, Consumer Reports advised consumers to reduce their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically six parts water to one part rice—and to drain any excess. For parents concerned about arsenic, alternative grains such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa could be safer options, as they generally test for lower arsenic levels. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, noting that these options are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization stated. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Companies that produce items with particularly low arsenic levels might promote this on social media or in stores, but they must exercise caution not to disparage their competitors unfairly, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Furthermore, parents seeking to increase their babies’ calcium intake may want to consider options that contain calcium citrate, which can enhance calcium content in their diets. By opting for safer alternatives, parents can ensure their infants are consuming nutritious products with minimal arsenic exposure while still focusing on beneficial nutrients like calcium.