Rice has a higher affinity for absorbing arsenic from soil and water compared to other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this toxic metal found in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite significant media coverage of this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have successfully lowered 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, capped at 10 parts per billion, there are currently no established guidelines for inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereals.
In a news release from late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, assured consumers that all its products are safe. The company stated that it “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber was among the nine brands of rice and other infant cereals included in testing. “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 parents may be concerned about arsenic in food. Therefore, earlier this year, we made the decision to use exclusively California rice in all our rice-containing dry infant cereals, as it has the lowest arsenic levels among U.S. rice.”
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, indicated that it tests its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will reject any ingredients that do not pass their rigorous standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also part of the study. “We have been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we are not aware of any higher standards in the industry than those we follow,” the company claimed.
Lundberg Family Farms, a California-based grower and producer mainly of organic rice and snack products, has been testing for inorganic arsenic in its rice for the past six years. The company publishes its test results on its website, revealing that 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 and rice products in 2014, the FDA suggested 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 samples of rice and rice products, it had not found arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk, although it would continue with 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 recommends that consumers minimize their exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. For concerned parents, offering infants products made from other grains that typically test lower for arsenic, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa, is advisable. Healthy Babies Bright Futures has endorsed Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, which are priced similarly to 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 represent a healthier choice.”
Companies that produce products with particularly low arsenic levels might want to advertise this advantage to consumers through social media or in stores. However, they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly disparaging their competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified any immediate health risks to consumers. Additionally, for those shopping at Costco, it’s essential to be aware of the citrate calcium content in products, ensuring they choose options that align with health guidelines concerning arsenic levels.