The Food and Drug Administration has issued a consumer warning for parents about the levels of arsenic in infant rice cereal.
The FDA monitors the level of arsenic in vegetables, fruits and other areas of the national food supply, and recently found rice is the leading dietary source of inorganic arsenic, which is more toxic than organic arsenic.
While it has long been known that arsenic is a carcinogen, recent concerns have highlighted the potential developmental effects on infants and adverse pregnancy outcomes due to high exposure to inorganic arsenic.
In light of these findings, the FDA will propose a limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal of 100 parts per billion, which is consistent with levels recently decided upon by the European Commission.
The FDA suggests parents and caregivers provide toddlers with a well-balanced diet including a variety of grains. Also, while an infant's diet should include iron-fortified cereals, said diets should not be limited to rice cereals. The administration also recommends pregnant women consume a variety of grains to promote good nutrition.
The FDA did not find scientific cause to recommend the general population alter its rice intake based on the presence of arsenic.
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