Rice is known to absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains why higher levels of this heavy metal are often detected in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite increased awareness of this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have successfully lowered arsenic levels in their rice cereals to match those found in other types of cereals. While the government imposes 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 cereals.
Gerber Products, a subsidiary of Nestlé, stated in a late October news release that all of its products are safe for consumption, emphasizing that they actively “monitor and control for arsenic in our rice ingredients,” acknowledging that arsenic can naturally occur in rice during cultivation. Gerber highlighted that any ingredient failing to meet their high quality standards is discarded. Although they assert the safety of their products, the company understands that some consumers may be apprehensive about arsenic levels in food. As a precaution, they decided to exclusively utilize California rice in all their rice-containing dry infant cereals due to California’s lower arsenic levels compared to other states.
Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-based Hero Group, also emphasizes its commitment to safety by testing products for up to 255 pesticides and heavy metals, including arsenic, returning any non-compliant ingredients to suppliers. The company has been conducting heavy metal tests since 1985 and claims to adhere to the highest standards in the industry.
California’s Lundberg Family Farms, primarily an organic rice grower and producer, has been testing inorganic arsenic levels in its rice for the past six years, with the 2016 crop testing at 0.090 parts per million, slightly below their six-year average of 0.093 ppm. Following studies by Consumer Reports that revealed high arsenic levels in apple and grape juices in 2012 and in rice products in 2014, the FDA recommended in 2016 limiting arsenic levels in infant rice cereals to 100 parts per billion. However, in 2013, the FDA reported that after testing over 1,300 rice and rice product samples, no immediate health risks were identified, although they planned to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate long-term risks.
Currently, the U.S. lacks federal arsenic standards for rice and other food products. Consumer Reports advises that consumers can reduce their exposure by using more water when cooking rice, suggesting a ratio of six parts water to one part rice, and draining off the excess. For parents concerned about arsenic, they can opt for products made from grains known to have lower arsenic levels, such as oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, and quinoa. Healthy Babies Bright Futures recommends Gerber and Earth’s Best infant oatmeal and multi-grain cereals, noting that these alternatives cost the same as rice cereals.
The organization advises parents to avoid infant rice cereal, as non-rice and multi-grain options consistently show lower arsenic contamination, making them a healthier choice. Companies producing items with notably low arsenic levels can leverage this information in their marketing strategies without unfairly disparaging competitors, especially since the FDA has not identified an immediate health risk to consumers. Additionally, the calcium citrate evaluation of medication effectiveness may provide useful insights into how dietary choices, including those concerning arsenic levels, can impact overall health.