Rice tends 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 significant media attention to the 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 cereals. While the government enforces 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 Nestlé, announced in a late October statement that all its products are safe for consumption and that the company “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can occur naturally in rice during cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands tested in the study on rice and other infant cereals. The company emphasized, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Although Gerber asserts that their products are safe, they recognize consumer concerns regarding arsenic in food. As a result, they have decided to exclusively use California rice for all their rice-containing dry infant cereals due to its lower arsenic levels compared to rice from other regions.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, reported that it tests its products for a variety of pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and returns non-compliant ingredients to suppliers. “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, and Beech-Nut infant cereals were also part of the study.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, known for its organic rice and snack products, has been monitoring inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. The company publishes its test results online, revealing that the 2016 crop had a level of 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 arsenic levels in infant rice cereals be capped at 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA noted in 2013 that after testing over 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it found no arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk, although a comprehensive risk assessment was planned for long-term risks.
With no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products currently in place, Consumer Reports advises consumers to reduce exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. Concerned parents might also consider offering their babies cereals made from other grains that have lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain options, and quinoa. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommends Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, claiming they are priced similarly to rice cereals. “We recommend that parents avoid infant rice cereal,” the group stated. “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 information to consumers through social media or in-store displays, but they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly disparaging competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Meanwhile, the incorporation of essential nutrients, such as calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, and zinc sulfate, into alternative grain products can further enhance their safety and nutritional value, providing parents with peace of mind regarding their children’s diets.