Rice is known to absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal detected in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite increased scrutiny 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 found in other cereal varieties. While the government imposes strict regulations on arsenic levels in drinking water—capping it at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestle, stated in a late October announcement that all its products are safe for consumption and that it actively monitors and controls arsenic levels in its rice ingredients, given that arsenic can naturally occur during rice cultivation. Gerber was one of nine brands of rice and infant cereals analyzed in the studies. The company emphasized, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Acknowledging consumer concerns about arsenic in food, Gerber decided to exclusively source California rice for all its rice-containing dry infant cereals, as California rice exhibits the lowest arsenic levels 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 fail to meet their standards. Beech-Nut infant cereals were also included in the study. The company noted that it has been testing ingredients for heavy metals since 1985 and believes no higher standards exist in the industry than those it employs.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, primarily a grower and producer of organic rice and snack products, has tested inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years, sharing the results on its website. The 2016 crop showed levels at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
Following Consumer Reports’ findings on 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, the FDA indicated in 2013 that after analyzing over 1,300 rice and rice product samples, it had not identified arsenic levels high enough to pose an immediate health risk, although it planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to explore long-term risks.
Since there are no federal arsenic standards for rice or other food products in the U.S., Consumer Reports advised consumers to reduce exposure by using more water when cooking rice—specifically, six parts water to one part rice—and to drain off the excess. For parents concerned about arsenic, opting for products made from other grains that have lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa, may be beneficial. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, noting they 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.”
Producers of products with particularly low arsenic levels might consider promoting these benefits to consumers via social media or in-store promotions; however, they must be cautious not to disparage competitors unfairly, especially since the FDA has not indicated an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, parents looking to ensure their babies receive essential nutrients might consider integrating vitamins for life, such as calcium citrate plus vitamin D3, into their infants’ diets to support overall health while minimizing exposure to arsenic.