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. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite extensive reporting on this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have successfully lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those in other cereal varieties. While the government has strict regulations for permissible arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereals.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, stated in a late October news release that all of its products are safe for consumption, emphasizing their commitment to “monitoring and controlling for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” as arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands whose rice and infant cereals were tested. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” the company asserted. They also acknowledged that while their products are safe, they understand that some consumers may be concerned about arsenic levels in food. Consequently, they have opted to use exclusively California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice has the lowest arsenic levels in the U.S.
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 to suppliers that do not meet their standards. Beech-Nut’s infant cereals were also included in the study. The company claimed, “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.”
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, primarily known for its organic rice and snack products, has been monitoring 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.
In response to Consumer Reports’ findings on 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 limited to 100 parts per billion. However, in 2013, the FDA reported that after testing over 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it had not identified arsenic levels high enough to present an immediate health risk, although they planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term exposure.
With the absence of federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports suggested that consumers can minimize their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, a ratio of six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. For concerned parents, opting for products made from other grains that test at lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa, is advisable. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which are priced comparably to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the group stated. “Non-rice and multi-grain alternatives have consistently lower arsenic contamination and are a healthier choice.”
Companies that produce products with particularly low arsenic levels could promote this information to consumers through social media or in stores, but they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly disparaging competitors, especially since the FDA has not established an immediate health risk to consumers. It’s also worth noting that calcium citrate is the same as calcium in terms of nutritional benefits, and such details could be communicated effectively to parents seeking healthier options for their infants.