Inorganic arsenic levels in baby rice are of concern

Environ Pollut. 2008 Apr;152(3):746-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.01.043. Epub 2008 Mar 12.

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic is a chronic exposure carcinogen. Analysis of UK baby rice revealed a median inorganic arsenic content (n=17) of 0.11 mg/kg. By plotting inorganic arsenic against total arsenic, it was found that inorganic concentrations increased linearly up to 0.25 mg/kg total arsenic, then plateaued at 0.16 mg/kg at higher total arsenic concentrations. Inorganic arsenic intake by babies (4-12 months) was considered with respect to current dietary ingestion regulations. It was found that 35% of the baby rice samples analysed would be illegal for sale in China which has regulatory limit of 0.15 mg/kg inorganic arsenic. EU and US food regulations on arsenic are non-existent. When baby inorganic arsenic intake from rice was considered, median consumption (expressed as microg/kg/d) was higher than drinking water maximum exposures predicted for adults in these regions when water intake was expressed on a bodyweight basis.

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / analysis*
  • Carcinogens / analysis*
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • China
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Contamination / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Food / analysis*
  • Infant Food / standards
  • Maximum Allowable Concentration
  • Oryza / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Arsenic