Rice is known to absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains the heightened levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. However, Healthy Babies Bright Futures reported that in the five years since the issue was widely publicized, there has been no indication that manufacturers have lowered arsenic levels in rice cereals to match those in other cereal types. While the government has strict regulations for arsenic in drinking water—set at 10 parts per billion—there are currently no established limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.
In a news release in late October, Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, emphasized that all its products are safe for consumption and that the company actively “monitors and controls for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur during rice cultivation. Gerber was one of the nine brands of rice and other infant cereals included in the testing. The company stated, “Any ingredient that does not meet our high standards for quality is rejected.” Although they assert their products are safe, Gerber recognized that some consumers may be concerned about arsenic levels in food. As a result, they opted to exclusively use California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals, citing California’s lower arsenic levels compared to other U.S. regions.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, also conducts tests on its products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, and returns any non-compliant ingredients to suppliers. Beech-Nut infant cereals were included in the study as well. The company stated, “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.”
Lundberg Family Farms from California, known for its organic rice and snack products, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years. They publish the results on their website, revealing that the 2016 crop tested at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below the six-year average of 0.093 ppm.
In response to studies by Consumer Reports that highlighted high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012, and in rice and rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 that the arsenic limit in infant rice cereals be set at 100 parts per billion. However, the FDA also noted in 2013 that after testing over 1,300 rice product samples, it did not identify arsenic levels that posed an immediate health risk, although a comprehensive risk assessment for long-term exposure was underway.
Given that the U.S. currently lacks federal arsenic standards for rice and other food products, Consumer Reports has suggested that consumers minimize exposure by cooking rice with more water—six parts water to one part rice—and draining the excess. For concerned parents, alternative products made from other grains with lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa, can be a safer choice. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommended Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, noting they are priced similarly to rice cereals.
The organization advised parents to “avoid infant rice cereal,” as non-rice and multi-grain options consistently show lower arsenic contamination and are healthier choices. Companies producing items with notably low arsenic levels can promote this information to consumers through social media or in stores, but they must tread carefully to avoid unfairly disparaging their competitors, especially since the FDA has not deemed an immediate health risk to consumers.
Additionally, it’s crucial for consumers to be aware of what should not be taken with calcium citrate, as certain interactions can affect the absorption of calcium. It is recommended to avoid taking calcium citrate with high doses of iron supplements or other minerals, which could limit calcium’s effectiveness. By remaining informed and cautious, parents can make healthier choices for their infants regarding rice and other cereals.