Rice and arsenic: what parents need to know

Why rice and arsenic come up together

Arsenic is found naturally in soil and water, and it can also come from farming and industry. Its inorganic form is the one that’s harmful. The AAP says the biggest health risks from inorganic arsenic are during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.

Rice takes up more arsenic than other crops, the FDA and AAP explain. The FDA set its limit for infant rice cereal because rice cereal is a common baby food and arsenic exposure early in life may affect development.

That doesn’t mean rice is off the menu. The FDA, AAP and NHS all say babies can eat rice. The goal is to make it one grain among many, not the main one.

The FDA limit for infant rice cereal

In August 2020, the FDA set an action level of 100 parts per billion (ppb) of inorganic arsenic for infant rice cereals. It applies to all types: white and brown, organic and conventional.

What this means for parents:

• It’s guidance for manufacturers, not a legal limit. The FDA considers it when deciding whether to take action against a product.
• Levels have been falling. In FDA testing, 76% of infant rice cereal samples were at or below 100 ppb in 2018, up from 36% in 2011–2013.
• Iron-fortified rice cereal is still a good source of nutrients, says the US Dietary Guidelines. It just shouldn’t be the only cereal.

Mix up the grains

This is the most useful step. The CDC notes that feeding only infant rice cereal can increase a baby’s arsenic exposure.

• Infant cereals: rotate rice with iron-fortified oat, barley and multigrain cereals (FDA, AAP). Rice doesn’t need to be your baby’s first cereal. See oatmeal.
• Other grains: the AAP suggests couscous, quinoa, farro and bulgur, as well as oats and barley.
• Reflux: the FDA says oat, barley and multigrain cereals work about as well as rice for babies with reflux. Don’t add cereal or baby rice to a bottle unless your pediatrician recommends it for reflux (AAP, NHS).
• Iron from other foods: meat like beef, beans, lentils and tofu add iron without relying on cereal. See iron-rich first foods.

Cook rice in plenty of water

The FDA found that cooking rice like pasta can lower its inorganic arsenic by 40 to 60%, depending on the type of rice.

1. Use 6 to 10 cups of water for every cup of rice.
2. Boil until the rice is soft.
3. Drain off the extra water before serving.

Congee and risotto keep their cooking water, so the drain step doesn’t apply to them: for those, vary the grains your baby eats instead (AAP).

There’s a trade-off. In white and parboiled rice that’s been enriched, this method also washes out 50–70% of the added iron, folate, niacin and thiamin (FDA). Brown rice isn’t enriched, so it loses less.

Rinsing: the AAP suggests rinsing rice before cooking. The FDA found rinsing alone has little effect on arsenic and washes off some added nutrients. Cooking in extra water is what makes the bigger difference.

For babies, cook rice until very soft. At 6 months, mash or blend it with breast milk, formula or water into a smooth mash or porridge your baby can take from a pre-loaded spoon or scoop with their hands (see rice). The CDC lists whole cooked grain kernels as a choking hazard and suggests mashing or finely grinding whole grains like rice for young babies.

Choosing rice and rice products

• Type of rice: the AAP says brown rice tends to have the highest arsenic levels, and white basmati and sushi rice tend to have lower levels.
• Brown rice syrup: arsenic is concentrated in rice syrup, which is sometimes used to sweeten toddler snacks and puffs. The AAP suggests avoiding it. It’s also an added sugar, which the US Dietary Guidelines (2025–2030) and the NHS say to avoid up to age 4: see salt and sugar for babies.
• Rice snacks: puffs, rice cakes and teething biscuits are often made from rice. Read the label and rotate with snacks made from other grains.
• Organic: organic foods often have similar levels of heavy metals to non-organic ones, the AAP says, because metals come from the soil.

No rice drinks

The NHS says children under 5 should not have rice drinks as a replacement for breast milk, formula or cow’s milk, because they may contain too much arsenic. The AAP also advises against using rice milk as a dairy substitute.

If your child has already had rice drinks, the NHS says not to worry: there’s no immediate risk, but it’s best to switch to a different milk. See cow’s milk at 12 months for other options.

Other sources of arsenic

• Juice. The AAP notes concerns about arsenic in apple juice and other juices, one more reason to limit juice. The FDA has set an action level of 10 ppb for inorganic arsenic in apple juice. See juice for babies.
• Well water. If your water comes from a private well, the FDA and AAP suggest testing it in spring or early summer. The US safety standard for drinking water is 10 ppb of arsenic.

If you’re worried about arsenic in your child’s diet, talk to your pediatrician.

Where US and UK advice differs

The overall message is the same: rice is fine as part of a varied diet, and rice drinks are not a milk substitute. The differences are in the details:

• Limits. In the US, the FDA’s 100 ppb level for infant rice cereal is guidance for industry. The NHS says the UK has legal maximum levels of inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products, with even stricter levels for foods made for young children.
• Rice drinks. The NHS gives a clear age: no rice drinks under 5. The AAP advises against rice milk as a dairy substitute without giving an age.
• Rice cakes. The NHS lists unsalted, unsweetened rice or corn cakes as a snack idea from 12 months. The AAP’s concern is mainly brown rice syrup, used to sweeten some toddler snacks and puffs. Rotating snacks made from different grains fits both.