Rice is more adept at absorbing arsenic from soil and water compared to other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. However, Healthy Babies Bright Futures reported that since major media coverage of this issue began about five years ago, there has been no indication that manufacturers have successfully lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those in other cereal types. Although the government enforces strict regulations on acceptable arsenic levels in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
Gerber Products, a Nestlé subsidiary, stated in a news release from late October that all its products are safe for consumption and that the company “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” recognizing that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during its growth. Gerber was among nine brands of rice and other infant cereals included in the analysis. “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected,” Gerber emphasized. “While our products are safe to consume, we understand that some consumers may have concerns about arsenic in foods. Therefore, earlier this year, we made the decision to exclusively use California rice in all of our rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice has the lowest levels of arsenic found in U.S.-grown rice.”
Beech-Nut, a part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, announced that it tests its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and will return ingredients to suppliers that do not meet its standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also analyzed in the study. “We have been testing our ingredients for heavy metals since 1985, and we are not aware of any standards in the industry that are higher than those we apply,” the company asserted.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, known for its organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. The company shares the 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’ investigations into high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012, and 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, in 2013, the FDA reported that after testing more than 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, it did not find arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk, although it committed to a thorough risk assessment to evaluate long-term concerns.
Since the U.S. lacks federal arsenic standards for rice and other food products, Consumer Reports advised consumers to limit their exposure by cooking rice with more water—six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. Concerned parents might also choose products made from 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 it noted 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 are a healthier choice.”
Companies that produce products with particularly low arsenic levels could promote this to consumers on social media or in stores, but they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly criticizing their competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. For parents concerned about their babies’ nutrition and safety, considering options fortified with calcium citrate and vitamin D3 x 60 tab may also be beneficial, ensuring that their little ones receive essential nutrients alongside lower arsenic exposure.