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. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite extensive reporting on arsenic concerns that began about five years ago, there is no evidence that manufacturers have reduced 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 allowed in infant rice cereal.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, announced in a late October news release that all of its products are safe for consumption, emphasizing that it “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” as arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands of rice and infant cereals included in the testing. The company stated, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” While Gerber assures the safety of its products, it recognizes that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in food. In response, the company decided earlier this year to use exclusively California rice in all of its rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice has the lowest arsenic levels among rice grown in the United States.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss Hero Group, also stated that it tests products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return any non-compliant ingredients to suppliers. Beech-Nut infant cereals were included in the study as well. 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.”
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, known for its organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years, posting results on its website. The 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm. Following Consumer Reports’ findings on high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that arsenic levels in infant rice cereals be capped at 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA also stated in 2013 that after testing over 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, it had not identified arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk, although it planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term risks.
Given that there are currently no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports advises consumers to limit their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, a six-to-one ratio of water to rice—and draining the excess. For concerned parents, offering babies products made from other grains that test lower for arsenic, such as oatmeal, multi-grain options, and quinoa, can be a safer choice. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommends Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization stated. “Nonrice and multi-grain alternatives have consistently lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Brands that produce products with notably low arsenic levels could promote this advantage to consumers on social media or in stores, but they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly shaming competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk. In addition, for parents concerned about various dietary issues, they may also wonder, “Does calcium citrate cause constipation?” This is an important consideration for many when selecting the best options for their babies.