The findings stem from research conducted at Queen’s University Belfast, who undertook a comprehensive study of rice-based baby food. The food was examined against a European Union regulation effective from January 2016. This regulation, based on medical advice, put in place a maximum limit of inorganic arsenic in food. However, the findings from the Institute for Global Food Security, based at Queen’s University, suggest nothing has changed since this regulation was out in place.
Arsenic is naturally present in the environment. The consequence of this means arsenic can get into food and water, although the levels vary globally. While arsenic is impossible to eliminate from food, if the levels are too high this can be harmful to health. According to the British Food Standards Agency, rice tends to take up more arsenic from the environment than other cereal crops. This partly because rice fields are regularly flooded and arsenic is naturally present in the soil. Subsequently the substance is present at a relatively high level in rice. The arsenic in rice is more toxic inorganic form, where associated illnesses include cancer. Concerns specific to babies include including developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes and nervous system damage. This relates to babies being at a sensitive stage of developed.
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Discussing the findings in a message sent to Digital Journal, lead researcher Professor Meharg, stated: “This research has shown direct evidence that babies are exposed to illegal levels of arsenic despite the EU regulation to specifically address this health challenge. Babies are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of arsenic that can prevent the healthy development of a baby’s growth, IQ and immune system to name but a few.”
For the study, the researchers from Northern Ireland compared the level of arsenic in urine samples among infants who were breast-fed or formula-fed before and after weaning. The study found a higher concentration of arsenic in the urine of the formula-fed infants, especially those who were given non-dairy formulas fortified with rice. Rice is commonly used where children have a dairy intolerance.
A study of specific products found that almost 75 percent of the rice-based products specifically marketed for infants and young children contained more than the permitted level of arsenic according to European Union law.
Arsenic levels in rice products can be reduced by percolating rice. The researchers recommend that this straightforward process is practiced and that regulator ensure that rice products meet the required standard.
The research findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE. The research is titled “Levels of infants’ urinary arsenic metabolites related to formula feeding and weaning with rice products exceeding the EU inorganic arsenic standard.”
