Can trace elements in dairy-free infant porridge be unsafe for your baby?

What's actually in it

Dairy-free infant porridges are made from grains like rice, oats, and millet, often mixed with added vitamins and minerals. They're popular for babies with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. But the grains in these products can contain arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other trace elements from the soil they were grown in.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Nutrients measured trace element levels in dairy-free infant porridges for babies aged 6 months and older. The researchers found that some products contained trace elements at levels that could exceed safe intake limits for infants. Rice-based porridges had the highest arsenic levels.

Babies are especially vulnerable because they eat large amounts relative to their body weight. Getting too much of certain elements like arsenic or cadmium during this critical growth period can harm kidneys, bones, and brain development.

Vary your baby's porridge types: rotate between oat, barley, millet, and quinoa instead of relying on rice-based products. Check brands that test and disclose their heavy metal levels. Making porridge at home from organic grains gives you more control.