Is arsenic in rice a concern when feeding babies and toddlers?

What's actually in it

Rice is known to soak up inorganic arsenic from the soil and water where it grows. Unlike other grains, rice plants are particularly good at pulling this heavy metal into their kernels. When you feed your baby rice cereal, rice-based snacks, or rice drinks, you are likely giving them a dose of this harmful element.

Inorganic arsenic is not just a trace mineral. It is a known toxin that accumulates in the body. Because babies and toddlers are smaller and still developing, they are at a higher risk from these exposures than adults.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Foods looked at the levels of inorganic arsenic found in rice-based beverages. The peer-reviewed research confirms that these products are a source of dietary exposure to arsenic. While this study focused on beverages, it highlights the broader issue of how common rice-based foods contribute to total arsenic intake.

Other peer-reviewed research, such as a 2026 meta-analysis in the European Journal of Epidemiology, links even low-level exposure to arsenic with long-term health risks like type 2 diabetes. When you combine this with the fact that infants have a higher intake of food relative to their body weight, the science suggests that limiting rice-heavy diets for young children is a necessary step to reduce their exposure to this toxic metal.