Arsenic levels in baby rice expose loophole in federal safety regulations

Rice absorbs arsenic from groundwater

After testing three common brands of baby rice consumed in the United States and Europe, scientists in Scotland discovered alarmingly high levels of arsenic.  The results were released in April of 2008, warning parents of serious concerns regarding how much arsenic babies are ingesting on a daily basis.  

The study tested inorganic arsenic, which does not contain carbon and likely comes from a geological source.  Arsenic occurs naturally in some soils and can be present in groundwater.  In some countries, arsenic contamination of groundwater is a serious problem. 

The scientists' findings indicate that levels of arsenic in baby rice is of serious concern because they exceed the maximum amount allowed under United States law.  According to the scientists, this is a cancer risk for babies. 

AFP reports:

"If a 9.25-kilo, or 20-pound baby -- roughly a one-year-old child in Britain -- consumed a 20g serving per day, it would ingest more arsenic than the daily maximum allowed under EU and US law, as calculated by body weight, the study said.

If a child ate more servings, the arsenic intake would rise accordingly.

In the case of the sample that had the highest arsenic level, three servings per day would amount to six times more than the maximum permitted under EU and US laws.

In addition, a child may eat other rice-based products in the form of crackers, biscuits, puffed cereals, pasta, noodles and puddings, and this could in theory drive up arsenic ingestion."

Scientific inquiry in the past has mainly dealt with arsenic in drinking water, but little research has been conducted with regard to its levels in food.  As a result, the study suggests that EU and US regulations are outdated and inaccurate, as the calculations for safe ingestion of inorganic arsenic is solely based on drinking water. 

NutraCea, the leading supplier of rice bran, recently attacked the findings of the study, claiming that they are unsound.  Regardless, the debate has been sparked as to whether current federal regulations do enough to protect our babies and children from this known cancer risk.  It appears this concern has gotten more attention in the UK than the US, however, so it is unclear how much of a priority the federal government considers the issue.  Parents in the US, on the other hand, likely consider it a big one.

Parents who are concerned about arsenic levels in their babies rice-based foods should discontinue using them and switch to foods containing oat, wheat, barley, maize and other grains.  

Get more Baby and Toddler information.  Subscribe to Darby Herrington’s column.

Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?  

Add a comment here or email me with "Examiner" in the subject line at:  edarby11@aol.com

Copyright ©2008 by E. Darby Herrington.  All rights reserved.