You may recall the news several years ago when it was discovered that rice and rice cereal had higher levels of inorganic arsenic than other foods. Arsenic and rice were back in the news this past week, when the FDA made a proposal to monitor levels and enforce limits on arsenic in rice cereal. Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance but the inorganic form of arsenic has been linked to increased risk of cancer. Rice cereal had traditionally been one of the first foods offered to infants because it contains iron, an important nutrient for growing infants. NAP, however, has recommended for some time that infants get a variety of different types of foods or cereals when they start on solids, rather than relying solely on rice cereal.
Bottom line: While rice cereal can be a good source of iron for developing infants, it is important to vary the types of solid foods that infants get in their diets. Other good sources of iron include oat, barley, or multigrain cereals, meats, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. Infants can also get iron from recommended vitamin supplements. While you do not need to avoid rice products entirely, make sure to work in different types of food into your infant’s diet and don’t rely solely on rice for your infant’s nutrition.
For answers to many questions about Arsenic and Rice, visit the FDA page here: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm319948.htm
The original press release from the FDA is here: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/UCM493740.htm
More information from the AAP:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/reduce-arsenic.aspx
