Arsenic in Baby Rice Cereals
The Bottom Line
Arsenic can cause severe health effects after high-level or chronic exposures. Arsenic is present in rice and is also found in infant rice cereal. Fortunately, the relatively short duration of time in which infants are given rice cereal in their diets significantly reduces the risk of arsenic poisoning. Providing a balanced diet can help reduce an infant's exposure to arsenic.
The Full Story
Rice cereal has been a staple of infant diets for decades. It is often one of the first foods introduced by parents into their baby’s diet after breast milk or infant formula. Like other grains, rice is planted in the ground. During the growing process, rice plants may be exposed to arsenic and other heavy metals that are naturally present in soil as well as in water used for irrigation. This accumulation of arsenic in the rice plant results in the presence of arsenic in infant rice cereal.
Arsenic has been recognized as a poison for hundreds of years. The actual toxicity of arsenic depends on its form (inorganic or organic) as well as the dose and duration of exposure. For example, a brief exposure to many types of organic arsenic may be completely nontoxic, but a chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic may cause significant signs and symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of arsenic poisoning depend on the duration and extent of arsenic exposure. A sudden (acute) exposure to inorganic arsenic may result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Years of chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic can lead to skin changes, heart disease, and even cancer. People who have no symptoms at all after eating arsenic are unlikely to have arsenic poisoning.
Arsenic levels in drinking water are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but until recently, there were limited regulations concerning the presence of arsenic in food. In August 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized thresholds for heavy metals, including arsenic, in infant rice cereal. Because of these new regulations, one company has recalled one lot of rice cereal due to elevated arsenic levels found in the product, and has decided to stop manufacturing infant rice cereal altogether due to concerns over the company’s ability to remain within the FDA thresholds for arsenic in its rice cereal. Fortunately, however, since most children are exposed to rice cereal for a short duration of time and also eat a variety of other foods which results in a decreased overall exposure to arsenic, it is unlikely that the arsenic contained in rice cereal will result in any significant toxic effects in the short- or long-term.
If you or a loved one have a question about an arsenic exposure, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool or call 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free for the public and available 24 hours a day.
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicology Physician
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Talk with your infant’s pediatrician about how to safely incorporate a variety of healthy foods, including grains and other cereals (such as oat, barley, or multigrain cereal), into your baby’s diet. A varied diet will help your little one explore new food flavors and textures and might help prevent picky eating habits in the future!
- If you have purchased the recalled Beech-Nut Rice Cereal (product codes: 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX, expiration date 01 May 2022), stop using this product. You can contact the manufacturer by calling 1-866-272-9417 or go to www.beechnut.com/ricecereal for information on how to obtain a refund or exchange.
This Really Happened
In June 2021, Beech-Nut Nutrition recalled a single lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1 Single Grain Rice Cereal. The recall occurred after a routine testing program in the State of Alaska found that the cereal contained levels of inorganic arsenic that exceeded FDA thresholds. Due to concerns that the company would have difficulties keeping the arsenic in the cereal low enough to meet FDA standards, Beech-Nut has decided to completely stop manufacturing its Single Grain Rice Cereal product.References
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Talk with your infant’s pediatrician about how to safely incorporate a variety of healthy foods, including grains and other cereals (such as oat, barley, or multigrain cereal), into your baby’s diet. A varied diet will help your little one explore new food flavors and textures and might help prevent picky eating habits in the future!
- If you have purchased the recalled Beech-Nut Rice Cereal (product codes: 103470XXXX and 093470XXXX, expiration date 01 May 2022), stop using this product. You can contact the manufacturer by calling 1-866-272-9417 or go to www.beechnut.com/ricecereal for information on how to obtain a refund or exchange.