Rice is known to absorb 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 reported that despite extensive media coverage of this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have reduced arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those found in other cereal varieties. While the government imposes stringent regulations on permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there remain no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, stated in a late October news release that all of its products are safe for consumption and that it actively “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 other infant cereals included in the testing. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” Gerber asserted. “Although our products are safe to consume, we recognize that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in foods. Therefore, earlier this year, we decided to exclusively use California rice in all of our rice-containing dry infant cereals. We chose California rice due to its lower arsenic levels compared to rice grown elsewhere 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 ingredients to suppliers if they do not pass quality checks. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also part of the study. “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 employ,” the company stated.
Lundberg Family Farms, a California-based grower and producer of primarily organic rice and snack products, has been measuring inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. The company shares its test results on its website, noting that the 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ studies highlighting high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and in rice 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 noted in 2013 that after testing more than 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, it had not identified arsenic levels high enough to present an immediate health risk, although it would conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for 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 off the excess. For parents who are concerned, alternatives made from grains that test lower for arsenic, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa, can be provided for babies. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, stating that they are priced similarly to rice cereals.
“We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the organization advised. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives consistently demonstrate lower arsenic contamination and represent a healthier choice.” Companies producing products with particularly low arsenic levels might promote this on social media or in stores, but they must navigate the fine line of avoiding unfair competition, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, parents may consider the use of calcium citrate tablets as a supplement for babies, which can help in addressing concerns related to both arsenic exposure and overall nutrition.