Rice Drinks and Arsenic

Rice and rice products have been known to contain higher levels of inorganic arsenic than found in other foods. Inorganic arsenic is considered more harmful than organic arsenic. In May 2009, the UK Food Standards Agency released a report that found organic and inorganic arsenic in all 60 samples of rice drinks that were tested. Many of the rice drinks had levels that exceed the US Environmental Protection Agencies standard for maximum arsenic contaminant level in drinking water, which is currently set at 10 parts per billion. This study was performed in England by the UK Food Standards Agency, and found that the average concentration in rice drinks of total arsenic was 23 parts per billion, and inorganic arsenic was 12 parts per billion. Rice Dream, Promavel, Lima, and Balance Foods were among the products that were sampled. You can read the entire bulletin at
www.food.gov.uk/science/surveillance/fsisbranch2009/survey0209,
and a more complete report at
www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/fsis0209arsenicinrice.pdf.

We wanted to share this information with all of our families and friends. These levels of arsenic may raise concerns for infants and children, especially those who are using rice milk as their major milk substitute. A child drinking just 8 ounces of rice milk per day would double their exposure to inorganic arsenic, compared to that obtained in a normal diet.

At Whole Child Wellness, we are now recommending that rice milk not be used as a major part of any child’s diet. We feel that a rotation of various milks is the healthiest option. Good alternatives to cow’s milk, depending on individual tolerance, may include goat milk, almond milk, hemp milk, and nut and seed milks. We are happy to work with you and your family if you have questions regarding your child’s diet, and to ensure that your children are getting the appropriate nutrition they require for optimal health and development. Please feel free to make an appointment if you would like to discuss this in more depth. We will stay on top of this topic and let you know if and when other information becomes available.