The latest reports have revealed that there are small amounts of arsenic and other toxins that are found in soil, creeping into the ingredients used in top-selling baby foods. Manufacturers insist the levels are so low they do not pose a health risk. But scientists and food campaigners are calling for efforts to eliminate the chemicals from mass-produced products eaten by millions of young babies. Leading brands from Organix, Hipp, Nestle and Holle were tested by Swedish researchers.
The study appeared in the Journal of Food Chemistry. Scientists from the Unit of Metals and Health at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said, “Alarmingly, these foods may also introduce high amounts of toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and uranium, mainly from their raw materials… These elements have to be kept at an absolute minimum in food products intended for infant consumption. The high concentrations of arsenic in the rice-based foods are of particular concern.”
Two years ago Britain’s Food Standards Agency issued an official warning that young children should be stopped from drinking rice milk because of arsenic contamination. This came after two types of the poison were found in the rice milk, including the most harmful form, which is called inorganic arsenic. While arsenic is known as a poison, it is also associated with the development of certain cancers. Both the European Food Safety Authority and the FSA are carrying out a review to set new limits for arsenic in food, particularly those for babies and toddlers.
The brands that have tested positive for toxins include Organix First Organic Whole Grain Baby Rice, HiPP Organic Peach and Banana Breakfast Porridge and Holle Organic Rice Porridge. Arsenic contamination of crops is a known problem associated with past pesticide use. Other metals and toxins produced by heavy industry also find their way into the soil and food.
The Swedish team said toxin levels were measured in micrograms, one millionth of a gram. The amounts found were higher than in breast milk. Organix First Organic Whole Grain Baby Rice contained two micrograms of arsenic per portion, along with 0.03 micrograms of cadmium and 0.09 micrograms of lead. This product is sold by Boots. HiPP Organic Peach and Banana Breakfast porridge contained 1.7 micrograms of arsenic, 0.13 micrograms of cadmium and 0.33 micrograms of lead. Holle Organic Rice Porridge contained 7.3 micrograms of arsenic per portion - the highest found in the study - along with 0.38 micrograms of cadmium and 0.26 micrograms of lead.
According to a baby food trade body, the British Specialist Nutrition Association, the members of the association “carefully select and control their ingredients as well as the baby food” to ensure they are safe. It said, “That selection of suitable ingredients ensures the lowest possible occurrence of certain naturally-occurring substances. Ingredients that do not meet stringent specifications are not used in baby foods.”
However Professor Andrew Meharg, a biogeochemist at Aberdeen University, is particularly concerned about the presence of arsenic in the rice used in baby food. “Baby rice is a very popular choice for parents weaning their babies onto solids, but there is a concern of arsenic contamination…Baby companies should be sourcing baby rice from regions of the world where levels of inorganic arsenic are as low as possible.”
Dr Karin Ljung, who led the Swedish research, confirmed none of the chemicals found were above existing safety limits. However, she said there is a need to review these levels to ensure developing children are protected. The FSA said this work is under way, adding, “The Agency is actively engaging with the European Commission to review and establish long term limits for these environmental contaminants in food.”
HiPP insisted the levels of arsenic and cadmium in their Organic Peach and Banana Breakfast porridge are below official limits. Organix said, “Organix operates rigorous finished food testing to ensure food safety is monitored regularly. This includes testing for elements, microbiological, allergen and pesticide residues…Our further testing of finished food and raw materials show ALL results conform to the current UK food standard.” Plum said, “Sampling of our recipe shows levels for arsenic are well below those in this latest study, and again these are well within the generally regarded safe and acceptable limits.” Nestle defended itself saying its raw materials are carefully selected to ensure substances absorbed from the soil are as low as possible.
The levels of these contaminants found in the baby foods tested were low and within the current official safety limits set out by the European Commission. Scientists warn, however, that the risk to babies cannot be accurately estimated and it is best to be cautious. They recommend not feeding children rice-based foods until they are older than six months, and say that breast feeding up until that age can help to protect infants from elevated exposure.
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