30 April, 2008 - The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has moved to reassure consumers following recent reports over the level of arsenic in baby rice and rice milk.
The FSA said that its research on the arsenic levels in baby food and infant formulas showed low intakes of arsenic from infant foods have not increased, indicating they were “as low as reasonably practicable”. The detected levels raise no concerns for the health of infants, said the food body.
With rice milk, the FSA said any concerns people might have could be allayed by reducing intake or switching to alternate sources of milk.
The advice came after one study measuring arsenic levels in rice milk concluded exposure to arsenic would be increase by consumption of rice milk. A further study claimed arsenic levels in some baby rice was unsafe.
The FSA dismissed this claim, stating current levels raised no concerns.
Its advice, published today, said arsenic occurs naturally in a wide range of foods at low levels. Its toxicity depends on the chemical form in which it is present. The organic form is less harmful but the inorganic form is known to cause cancer.
The FSA’s independent advisory committee on toxicity, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has therefore concluded that exposure to inorganic arsenic should be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Arsenic occurs in a wide range of foods but most arsenic in the diet is present in the less toxic, organic form.
Rice is a food grain that has the tendency to accumulate arsenic. While the concentration of total arsenic is low, about 50% of it is present as inorganic arsenic. The FSA said it is carrying out research on the levels of arsenic present in rice and rice products as well as the effect of cooking on arsenic concentrations.
Its current findings show that for the average UK consumer the exposure to arsenic from consuming rice is not a concern, said the FSA statement.
The FSA said the studies raising the concerns were based on incorrect premises.
“The studies make comparisons with drinking water standards that are not appropriate. Drinking water standards are based on a level that is as low as reasonably practicable or achievable in water and it is not relevant to compare with intakes from food.
“The amount of arsenic present in food is regulated by the UK Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 as amended, and all the rice and rice products tested so far do not exceed the limits set by this legislation.”