Rice absorbs arsenic from soil and water significantly more effectively than other grains, which explains the higher levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, since the issue gained widespread attention about five years ago, they have found no indication that manufacturers have managed to lower arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those in other cereal types. While the government enforces strict regulations on arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.
In a late October news release, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, asserted that all of its products are safe for consumption and that it actively “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” recognizing that arsenic can occur naturally in rice during growth. Gerber was one of nine brands of rice and other infant cereals included in the study. The company emphasized, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Although Gerber maintains that its products are safe, it acknowledges that some consumers may have concerns regarding arsenic in food. As a result, earlier this year, Gerber decided to exclusively use California rice in 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 Swiss Hero Group, stated that it tests its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return any ingredients to suppliers that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut’s infant cereals were also part of the study. “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,” the company noted.
Lundberg Family Farms, a California-based grower and producer of mainly 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 online, reporting that the 2016 crop had an arsenic level of 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ findings regarding elevated 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 levels permitted in infant rice cereals be capped at 100 parts per billion. However, in 2013, the FDA stated that after testing over 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, they had not identified arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk, although they planned to conduct a thorough risk assessment for long-term exposure.
Given that there are no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., 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 the excess water. For parents concerned about arsenic, alternatives like oatmeal, multi-grain, and quinoa, which have lower arsenic levels, can be offered to babies. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We advise parents to avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization stated. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
While companies producing products with notably low arsenic levels could highlight this on social media or in stores, they must be cautious not to unjustly shame competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. For parents seeking to support their children’s digestive health, they might also consider integrating calcium citrate for constipation into their dietary regimen, as it could provide additional benefits alongside choosing safer grain options.