Concerns about alleged 'harmful' arsenic levels in baby rice cakes

Conclusion Arsenic is found in the earth's crust and is naturally present in the environment. Certain countries – including India, China and Bangladesh – are known to have higher levels of arsenic in ground water than others. Water supplies in the UK are low in arsenic, but we may be exposed to arsenic through foods – such as rice and other crops – that have been exposed to contaminated water. This study shows that babies tend to have higher levels of arsenic metabolites in their urine when exposed to food – including formula milk and rice – and that rice contains higher than recommended levels. These are important findings, but there are a few points to put this in context: This research used a small sample of infants (particularly the post-weaning sample of 11) and they're all from one region of Belfast with a very specific sociodemographic background (e.g. non-smoking white mothers of high occupational status). These levels may be representative of babies across the country, but we have none for comparison and don't know that for sure. Though nearly all of the 11 babies were given rice products, we can't conclude with certainty that this food was the direct cause of the higher levels. Continued exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic is known to have toxic effects, possibly increasing the risk of cancer and affecting development. However, this study doesn't give evidence that the arsenic levels in urine observed here would be toxic to the chi...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Pregnancy/child Source Type: news