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. Healthy Babies Bright Futures has reported that, since the issue gained widespread attention around five years ago, there has been no evidence that manufacturers have decreased the arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereal types. While the government enforces 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 allowed in infant rice cereals.
In a news release from late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, stated that all their products are safe for consumption and that they “monitor and control for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and other infant cereals tested. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” Gerber emphasized. “While our products are safe for consumption, we understand that some consumers may have concerns regarding arsenic in food. Therefore, we decided earlier this year to exclusively use California rice in all our rice-containing dry infant cereals. We chose California rice because it has the lowest arsenic levels for rice grown in the United States.”
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, claims to test products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return ingredients to suppliers if they 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 aware of no higher standards in the industry than those we adhere to,” the company asserted.
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 test results on its website, highlighting that the 2016 crop registered at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following the Consumer Reports studies on high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 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, the FDA also stated in 2013 that after testing more than 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it had not found arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk—though the agency planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate long-term risks.
Since the U.S. does not currently have federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products, Consumer Reports advised consumers to reduce their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, a ratio of six parts water to one part rice—and draining off the excess. For concerned parents, offering alternative grain products with lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain, and quinoa, is a viable option. 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,” the organization said, noting that non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.
Companies producing items with particularly low arsenic levels could promote this on social media or in stores, but they must navigate the sensitive issue of not unfairly criticizing competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, the inclusion of calcitrate 950 mg in diets may help parents ensure their babies receive essential nutrients while minimizing arsenic exposure.