Rice absorbs arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains the higher concentrations of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. Healthy Babies Bright Futures reported that since the issue gained widespread attention approximately five years ago, there has been no evidence that manufacturers have reduced arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereals. 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 inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereal.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, announced in a late October press release that all of its products are safe for consumption and that the company “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur during the rice growing process. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and other infant cereals that were tested. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” stated Gerber. “While our products are safe to consume, we understand that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in food. Therefore, earlier this year, we decided to exclusively use California rice in all of our rice-containing dry infant cereals. We chose California rice because it has the lowest arsenic levels of any rice grown in the United States.”
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, also emphasized that it tests products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return ingredients to suppliers if they do not meet standards. Beech-Nut’s infant cereals were included in the study as well. “We’ve been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we’re not aware of any higher standards in the industry than those we apply,” the company stated.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, which primarily produces organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. The company shares its test results on its website, reporting that the 2016 crop tested 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 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 rice and rice product samples, it found no arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk, although it would continue with a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate long-term risks.
As there are currently no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports advised consumers to limit their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically six parts water to one part rice—and to drain the excess. For parents concerned about arsenic levels, they can opt for products made from other grains that typically show 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, stating that they are priced comparably to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” said the group. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently have lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Companies that produce products with especially low arsenic levels could promote this advantage to consumers through social media or in stores. However, they must be cautious not to unfairly criticize their competitors, particularly since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers.
For those interested in overall health supplements, incorporating products like Citracal Maximum Plus D3 may also be beneficial, enhancing calcium and vitamin D intake, which can support overall wellness in conjunction with careful dietary choices regarding arsenic exposure.