Inorganic arsenic in rice-based products for infants and young children

TLDR

Inorganic arsenic is a chronic, non‑threshold carcinogen that can accumulate in rice and rice‑based products, which are widely consumed by infants and young children, yet no EU or US regulations currently exist to limit its concentration. The study aims to highlight the urgent need for regulatory limits on inorganic arsenic in baby rice‑based foods. The authors measured inorganic arsenic levels in EU‑produced rice‑based products and performed a risk assessment of infant and child consumption, comparing the results to a US FDA survey. The study found that the evaluated samples could contribute a significant amount of inorganic arsenic to infants' and young children's diets.

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic (Asi) is a chronic, non-threshold carcinogen. Rice and rice-based products can be the major source of Asi for many subpopulations. Baby rice, rice cereals and rice crackers are widely used to feed infants and young children. The Asi concentration in rice-based products may pose a health risk for infants and young children. Asi concentration was determined in rice-based products produced in the European Union and risk assessment associated with the consumption of these products by infants and young children, and compared to an identical US FDA survey. There are currently no European Union or United States of America regulations applicable to Asi in food. However, this study suggests that the samples evaluated may introduce significant concentration of Asi into infants' and young children's diets. Thus, there is an urgent need for regulatory limits on Asi in food, especially for baby rice-based products.