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Nearly 75% of rice-based infant foods exceeded EU limit for arsenic levels
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Despite the European Union’s efforts to reduce the levels of inorganic arsenic in rice-based infant food to 0.1 mg/kg or less effective January 1, 2016, levels remain the same in nearly three-fourths of products specifically targeted for this demographic, including cakes, crackers and cereals.
“Early-life exposure to inorganic arsenic, even at relatively low concentrations, is of particular concern due to infants and young children’s specific vulnerability to adverse health effects of this group 1 human carcinogen, which may impact health and disease development throughout their life,” Andrew A. Meharg, PhD, from the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, and colleagues wrote.
To assess inorganic arsenic (i-As) levels before and after weaning, the researchers examined urine samples from 79 infants located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, who were birthed by nonsmoking, white, nutritionally healthy mothers 19 years or older at Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Of the 79 infants included in the study, 41 were girls, and all were born in 2015. Researchers separated these children into three groups before weaning: breast-fed (n = 20), formula fed (n = 32) and partially breast-fed with formula used (n = 27). The researchers noted that data concerning rice-based formula use for these infants were not available.
Infants who were formula fed had higher monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid levels, as did infants who consumed rice products post-weaning. When the date of EU regulation was considered, researchers observed little change in the levels of inorganic arsenic in rice-based infant foods.
The researchers suggested that efforts should be made to comply with the EU recommendations regarding inorganic arsenic levels found in these products to protect infants, a population that is vulnerable to neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic outcomes due to exposure.
“Manufacturers should be held accountable for selling products that are not meeting the EU standard,” Meharg said in a press release. “Companies should publish the levels of arsenic in their products to prevent those with illegal amounts from being sold. This will enable consumers to make an informed decision, aware of any risks associated before consuming products containing arsenic.” — by Katherine Bortz
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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