Inorganic arsenic: a natural contaminant that rice takes up more than other grains, with limits for infant rice cereal

Rice is a daily staple for many families, and rice cereal has long been a first solid food for babies, so it can be unsettling to learn that rice absorbs more arsenic from soil and water than other grains. The worry is not sudden illness from a meal: years of exposure are linked to some cancers, heart disease and effects on children's brain development. Babies eat far more rice cereal for their size than adults do, which is why Canada, the US and the EU set limits for infant rice products. Eating a variety of foods rather than relying on any single one, and testing private well water, are the practical ways to keep exposure down.

Everyday exposure: where you meet it and how much

Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and also comes from human activity. [4] It can enter food from soil and water where crops are grown, from past use of arsenic pesticides, from pollution, and from processing water. [1] According to WHO and CDC, as cited by FDA, the most common source of high levels of inorganic arsenic is contaminated drinking water. [1]

FDA sampling shows rice and rice products have higher levels of inorganic arsenic than other foods. [4] Rice intake, mainly through infant rice cereal, is about three times greater for infants than for adults relative to body weight. [4] Industry has made progress: in 2018, 76% of infant rice cereal samples were at or below FDA's action level, compared with 47% in 2014 and 36% in 2011 to 2013. [3]

Known and suspected harms

Evidence labels are editorial summaries, not individual risk predictions: established means recognized under the stated conditions; probable means a likely contribution with uncertainty; possible means limited evidence; disputed means assessors disagree. These labels do not describe how common an effect is.

• Established — skin, bladder and lung cancers with long-term exposure: in adults, long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin disorders, higher risks of skin, bladder and lung cancers, and cardiovascular disease. [1] Inorganic arsenic is the primary toxic form. [4] Very high short-term exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning in the hands and feet. [1]
• Established — effects on brain development in early life: high exposure during active brain development is associated with learning disabilities, behaviour difficulties and lower IQ, and fetuses, infants and children are especially vulnerable. [1] Epidemiologic data show early-life exposure can lower children's performance on some developmental tests. [4]
• Established — infants eat more rice relative to body weight: this is why FDA prioritized infant rice cereal. [4]

Reducing avoidable exposure and harm

FDA advises eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within the food groups, which supports nutrition and limits exposure to a contaminant from any one food. [1] People who drink private well water should follow their local testing guidelines for arsenic. [1] Finding arsenic in a food does not by itself mean the food should be avoided. [1]

What it is

Arsenic (CAS 7440-38-2) is an element. [7] In food it occurs as inorganic arsenic or organic arsenic; "organic" here means arsenic bound to carbon and has nothing to do with organic farming. [1] Inorganic arsenic is measured as the sum of arsenite, As(III), and arsenate, As(V). [5,6]

What it does and why it is used

Inorganic arsenic in rice is a contaminant, not an ingredient. FDA has no regulations authorizing arsenic as a food or colour additive. [1]

Regulatory status and health context

Canada

Canada's List of Contaminants sets maximum levels for inorganic arsenic of 0.35 ppm in husked (brown) rice, 0.2 ppm in polished (white) rice, and 0.1 ppm in rice-based foods intended specifically for infants and young children, with further limits for fruit juices. [5]

United States

FDA's 2020 guidance sets an action level of 100 parts per billion (100 µg/kg) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals, covering white, brown, organic and conventional rice cereals. Guidance is not legally binding, but FDA uses the level when deciding whether a product is adulterated. [2,3] FDA also has a 2023 action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice. [1]

European Union

Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for inorganic arsenic of 0.15 mg/kg in polished white rice, 0.25 mg/kg in parboiled and husked rice and in rice flour, 0.30 mg/kg in rice waffles, wafers, crackers, cakes, flakes and popped breakfast rice, and 0.10 mg/kg in rice destined for food for infants and young children. [6]

Environmental notes

Arsenic levels are higher in certain soils and rocks and where arsenic pesticides were once used, and pollution from mining and coal-fired power plants can add to them. [1]

Quick facts

• CAS (arsenic): 7440-38-2. [7]
• Main food source: rice and rice products; contaminated water is the most common source of high exposure. [1,4]
• US infant rice cereal action level: 100 ppb. [2]
• Canada and EU, infant rice foods: 0.1 ppm (0.10 mg/kg). [5,6]
• Simple habit: eat a variety of grains and other foods. [1]

Sources

All URLs were fetched on 2026-11-11. Source publication dates differ from this draft's review date.

1. FDA: Arsenic in food.
2. FDA: Guidance for industry, action level for inorganic arsenic in rice cereals for infants.
3. FDA: FDA issues final guidance on action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
4. Federal Register (2020): Inorganic arsenic in rice cereals for infants, action level guidance notice.
5. Health Canada: List of contaminants and other adulterating substances in foods.
6. EUR-Lex: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food.
7. PubChem PUG REST: arsenic synonyms.