Unsafe levels of arsenic ‘in 73% of baby rice snacks’
THREE-QUARTERS of baby rice products contain dangerous levels of arsenic, a study shows.
Researchers found illegally high amounts – which breach Eu limits – in 73 per cent of products in supermarkets.
Consuming too much arsenic can lead to developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes and nervous system damage, as well as raising the risk of certain types of cancer.
The study calls into question the effectiveness of the Eu rules brought in only last year to reduce the chemical present in products such as rice cakes and drinks.
Professor Andy Meharg, who led the study at queen’s university Belfast, said: ‘It shows 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.’
He added: ‘I’m not scaremongering. Eu laws have been passed, and what we’re doing is saying these laws aren’t being met.’
Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment, and rice has ten times higher levels than other foods because it tends to absorb the chemical more.
Babies are particularly vulnerable to over-exposure as they eat larger quantities of food for their size than adults, and many are weaned on rice-based products.
The researchers looked at foods before and after the regulations were passed and found little had changed. The study, published in the journal Plos One, found that bottle-fed children – especially those given rice-fortified formulas – had higher concentrations of arsenic in their urine compared with those who were breastfed.
Professor Meharg added: ‘Simple measures can be taken to dramatically reduce the arsenic in these products so there is no excuse for manufacturers to be selling baby food products with such harmful levels of this carcinogenic substance.’
The Food Standards Agency recommended that consumers, including young children, eat a balanced diet including rice products.
But a spokesman urged parents not to give youngsters aged between one and four-and-a-half rice-based drinks ‘as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cows’ milk’.
Professor Meharg previously tested three different ways of cooking rice and found that consumers can slash levels of toxins by up to 85 per cent by steeping it overnight.
A recent survey on the popularity of introductory baby foods since 1997 found that love for rice cakes rose by 18 per cent, while consumers’ taste for rusks dropped by 32 per cent. Meanwhile sweet potato saw the biggest jump, with 22 per cent more newborn babies being given the root vegetable.
‘Prevent healthy development’