Rice is known to absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which contributes to the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. A report from Healthy Babies Bright Futures highlighted that despite extensive coverage of the issue over the last five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereal types. While the government imposes strict regulations on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water, set at 10 parts per billion, there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestle, announced in a late October press release that all of its products are safe for consumption. The company emphasizes that it “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands of rice and infant cereals included in the tests. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” Gerber stated, adding that although their products are safe, they recognize consumer concerns about arsenic in food. As a response, Gerber decided earlier this year to exclusively use California rice in all its rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice has the lowest arsenic levels in the United States.
Beech-Nut, part 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 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 stated.
Lundberg Family Farms, a California-based grower and producer of primarily organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years and publicly shares the 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’ investigations into high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that the amount of arsenic allowed in infant rice cereals be limited to 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA also stated in 2013 that after testing more than 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it found no arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health threat. The agency indicated it would conduct 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 minimize exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, six parts water to one part rice—and to drain the excess. Concerned parents can also opt for products made from other grains that have 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, which are competitively priced with rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization stated. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are healthier choices.”
Companies producing products with particularly low arsenic levels could promote this fact through social media or in-store marketing, but they must be cautious not to disparage their competitors unfairly, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, parents interested in supplementing their babies’ diets with nutritious options might consider adding calcium citrate 500 mg chewable tablets, which can provide essential nutrients without the concerns associated with arsenic.