FDA to propose limits on inorganic arsenic in baby rice cereals.
Due to health risks associated with inorganic arsenic in baby food, the FDA is stepping in and proposing a limit for how much inorganic arsenic should be allowed in food. In 2016, the FDA completed a study and found evidence showing that exposure to food containing arsenic puts infants and children at a high risk for poor performance on cognition tests, and learning difficulties. Inorganic arsenic is found in a multitude of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. When it comes to rice, which is a staple in an infant's diet after 8 months of age, studies have shown that it absorbs more inorganic arsenic than most foods do. This has prompted the FDA to propose an action limit of 100 parts per billion, or lower in foods containing inorganic arsenic. The FDA tested 76 samples of baby rice cereal and found that 50% of the cereals tested near the proposed limit. More than 3/4 of the total samples tested at 110ppb. Urvashi Rangan PhD, executive director of the Consum...