Babies Who Eat Rice Cereal Have Higher Arsenic Levels, Study Finds

LEBANON, N.H. (CBS) – A new study suggests that babies who eat rice products have higher arsenic levels. Researchers in New Hampshire found that infants who ate rice cereal had more than three times the amount of arsenic levels in their urine compared to infants who avoided rice products. The study published in JAMA Pediatrics involved nearly 1,000 infants living in New Hampshire. Scientists concluded that “efforts should be made to reduce [arsenic] exposure during this critical phase of development.” Rice cereal and other rice products are common first foods for babies. Earlier this month, the FDA announced it would be proposing limits for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. The agency recommends feeding young children a balanced diet. More research is needed to determine if elevated levels of arsenic translate into any long-term health effects.
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Syndicated Local Rice Source Type: news