Do rice-based baby foods like rice cereal contain dangerous heavy metals?

What's actually in it

Rice is grown in flooded paddy fields, which are ideal conditions for absorbing inorganic arsenic from the soil. Arsenic is naturally present in soil but can be elevated in areas with agricultural or industrial history. Rice accumulates arsenic at rates much higher than wheat, oats, or corn.

On top of arsenic, rice-based products have also been found to contain lead, cadmium, and mercury. These metals are particularly harmful to infants because their developing brains and organs are more vulnerable to metal toxicity.

What the research says

A study measuring metallic trace elements in rice-containing products used in the diets of young children found levels of arsenic and other metals that raise health concerns for infants as their primary cereal food.

The FDA has set action levels for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals at 100 parts per billion, but many products tested by advocacy groups have exceeded this. In 2021, a US congressional report found heavy metals in multiple leading baby food brands.

Better alternatives for baby's first cereal include oatmeal, barley, or multigrain cereals. If you use rice products, rotating with other grains reduces cumulative exposure.