Rice has a higher tendency to absorb arsenic from soil and water compared to other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. Healthy Babies Bright Futures reported that despite increased awareness of the issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereals. While the government enforces strict regulations on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
In a news release in late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, assured consumers that all of its products are safe and that it actively “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can occur naturally during the growth of rice. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and infant cereals that underwent testing. The company emphasized, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” In response to consumer concerns regarding arsenic, Gerber decided earlier this year to exclusively use California rice for all of its rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice is known to have the lowest arsenic levels in the United States.
Beech-Nut, part of the Switzerland-based Hero Group, stated 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. The company has been testing for heavy metals since 1985 and claims to adhere to the highest industry standards. Lundberg Family Farms, a California producer of mainly organic rice products, has been monitoring inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years, posting results on its website. The 2016 crop recorded arsenic levels at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ investigations into high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 limiting arsenic levels in infant rice cereals to 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA had previously noted in 2013 that after testing over 1,300 rice samples, it found no immediate health risks associated with arsenic levels, although it planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term exposure.
With no federal arsenic standards currently in place for rice or other food products, Consumer Reports advises consumers to limit their exposure by using a higher water-to-rice ratio—six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. Concerned parents might also consider offering their babies products made from other grains that demonstrate lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which they noted are priced comparably to rice cereals. They advised, “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” as non-rice and multi-grain options typically contain lower levels of arsenic and represent a healthier choice.
Companies with particularly low arsenic levels in their products could promote this information to consumers through social media or in stores, but they need to navigate this carefully to avoid unfairly criticizing competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified any immediate health risks. Additionally, parents looking to enhance their children’s nutrition may also consider incorporating calcium citrate 1000 supplements into their diet, as they can provide essential nutrients while further reducing potential exposure to arsenic from rice-based products.