FDA sets limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a limit for inorganic arsenic proportion in infant rice cereal.

The FDA’s proposal, which is similar to the level set by the European Commission (EU), advices a limit of 100 parts per billion (ppb).

Infant rice cereal is a major source of arsenic exposure in infants, who relative to their body weight, consume three times more rice than adults.

In a test conducted by the FDA, it is revealed that the majority of infant rice cereal present in the market either meets, or is close to the proposed action level.

FDA Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition director Susan Mayne said: "Our actions are driven by our duty to protect the public health and our careful analysis of the data and the emerging science.

"The proposed limit is a prudent and achievable step to reduce exposure to arsenic among infants."

The FDA expects manufacturers to produce infant rice cereal that meets or is below the proposed limit, which can be achieved by sourcing rice that contains lower inorganic arsenic levels.

Owing to the proposed inorganic arsenic level in rice, the US agency has suggested other food options that can help in the healthy growth of infants.

Parents and caregivers are advised to feed infants iron-fortified cereals and other infant cereals such as barley, oat and multigrain.

Young children must have a well-balanced diet, which includes a variety of grains, while pregnant women should consume a variety of foods such as wheat, oats and barley for proper nutrition.

New research by the FDA reveals that cooking rice in excess water and then draining the excess water is able to reduce 40% to 60% of inorganic arsenic content in rice.

As revealed in the FDA study, an exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and pregnant women through rice and rice products can lead to a several maladies including neurological effects in early life.

According to an estimation made by the FDA, for every 100,000 people in the US, inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products results in an additional four cases of lung and bladder cancer in a lifetime.

It also results in decreased performance levels on tests that analyse child learning abilities.

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Image: A wooden spoon and rice. Photo: courtesy of rakratchada torsap / Freedigitalphotos.