Category Archives: Science in the News

When foods are labeled “organic”, we often immediately consider it as healthy, expensive, free of harmful chemicals and toxins, and environmental friendly. But are they safe?

A recent study found that some types of organic foods contain arsenic, a compound which can increases the risk of certain types of cancers. Because pesticides are not used in organic foods, it is not likely to be the causative agent of cancer. According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chronic exposure to even small amounts of arsenic will increase the risk of

Credict: Quaker. Quaker Chewy Granola Bars made without high fructose corn syrup (with brown rice)

bladder, lung, and skin cancer as well as cardiovascular diseases. Arsenic can be found in various ingredients used in certain organic products. For example, organic brown rice syrup which is often used as a healthier substitute for high fructose corn syrup is a potential source of arsenic in foods. Cereal bars and infant formulas that use organic brown rice syrup are particularly higher in arsenic levels compare to foods without this syrup. Some products have arsenic concentrations nearly 12 times higher than the limit set by EPA of 10 parts per billion (ppb). Other studies also found that rice might be a major source of arsenic in our diet.

Although no one is sure whether arsenic in rice-based foods is harmful to human, the amount of arsenic found in infant formulas is worrisome due to the infant’s small body size. In New Hampshire, a group of researchers measured the level of arsenic in 17 infant formulas and 29 cereal bars. Two of the infant formulas used organic brown rice syrup as the main ingredient, which had arsenic levels that were 20 to 30 times greater than the other infant formulas. Out of the 29 cereal bars examined, 22 were rice-based products that had arsenic levels of 23 to 128 ppb. These bars contained much higher arsenic concentration than non-rice bar which had arsenic levels of 8 to 27 ppb.

Results from all related studies show that “the data on the infant formulas is most concerning,” said Christopher States, a toxicologist at the University

CREDIT: Baby bottle photo via Shutterstock

of Louisville in Kentucky. The amount of arsenic in the choice of formula may be significant depending on the infant’s body size. Moreover, the level of arsenic in most studies is calculated by assuming the formulas were prepared with arsenic-free water. Thus, infants who drank high arsenic formulas that are mixed with arsenic-containing water would be at a greater risk for potential health problems. Sometimes formula is the only food an infant will consume during a critical period of development. The infant’s “small size means they may consume more arsenic per kilogram of body weight than an adult eating foods with similar arsenic levels,” says States.

I think that occasionally eating cereal bars will not have any major risks in adults. For anyone who is worried about the arsenic exposure, I suggest you read the food labels before buying to make sure it are not rice-based. More importantly, parents should absolutely avoid buying infant formulas that contain rice syrup.

References:

Wikipedia

TODAY Health: High arsenic levels found in organic foods, baby formula