Rice is more adept at absorbing 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 has noted that, despite increased awareness of this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have decreased arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those in other types of cereals. While the government enforces strict regulations on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—no similar regulations exist for inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereal.
In a news release from late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, stated that all of its products are safe for consumption. The company emphasized that it “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can occur naturally in rice during cultivation. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and other infant cereals that underwent testing. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” Gerber affirmed. “Although our products are safe to consume, we understand that some consumers may have concerns regarding arsenic in foods. Therefore, earlier this year, we decided to exclusively use California rice in all of our rice-containing dry infant cereal. We selected California rice because it has the lowest arsenic levels of any rice grown in the United States.”
Beech-Nut, a member 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 that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also included in the study. “We’ve been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we are not aware of any higher standards in the industry than those we apply,” the company stated.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, 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 these test results on its website, noting that the 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, which is 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 in rice and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that the arsenic limit in infant rice cereals be set at 100 parts per billion. However, in 2013, the FDA indicated that after testing over 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, it had not found arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk. Nonetheless, the agency committed to conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate long-term risks.
Currently, with no federal standards for arsenic in rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports has advised consumers to minimize their exposure by using a higher ratio of water when cooking rice—specifically, six parts water to one part rice—and to drain the excess water afterward. For concerned parents, there are alternatives made from other grains that generally test at lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa. Healthy Babies Bright Futures has 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 exhibit lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.” Companies producing products that contain particularly low levels of arsenic could promote this advantage to consumers via social media or in-store displays, but they must be cautious not to unfairly disparage their competitors, especially given that the FDA has not identified any immediate health risks to consumers.
In addition to these considerations, it is important for parents to ensure their infants receive adequate nutrition, which may include supplements like calcium citrate and vitamin C, to support overall health. These nutrients can play a vital role in a balanced diet, especially when transitioning away from rice-based products.