In a new report, Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) rings alarm bells about significant levels of toxic heavy metals found in the rice sold at retail stores across the United States, adding that this can translate to serious health implications for infants and young children.  

“What’s in your family’s rice? Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Popular Rice Brands—Plus 9 Safer Grains to Try” is the name of the report. The authors are Jane Houlihan, MSCE, Research Director, and Kyra Naumoff, Ph.D., Bright Cities Program Director, at HBBF.

“Rice is the most widely consumed solid food in the world and a staple for more than a billion children. Yet for over 25 years, it has also been recognized as a leading dietary source of arsenic, a contaminant associated with health risks that include cancer and harm to the developing brain, including IQ loss,” the report says.

The report notes that significant progress has been made in reducing arsenic levels in infant rice cereal over the past decade: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a limit for arsenic in such cereal; major baby food brands discontinued the use of the most contaminated rice cereal variety (brown rice cereal); at least five states removed infant rice cereal from subsidy programs; and baby food companies reduced the average arsenic level in infant rice cereal by 45 percent.

“However, no similar action has been taken for rice itself, even though it—not infant rice cereal—is the top source of arsenic from solid foods in the diets of children under two, and a concern during pregnancy, the most critical window for brain development,” the report says. “New tests commissioned for this report found arsenic in 100 percent of 145 rice samples purchased nationwide. More than one in four exceeded the FDA’s action level for infant cereal, a limit above which FDA can consider the cereal to be adulterated. For parents making baby food at home, this means homemade rice cereal could contain arsenic levels considered unsafe if sold in stores.”

The tests commissioned for the report found four toxic heavy metals in rice—arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. 

“While each contaminant has different health effects, they can contribute to serious risks like cancer, developmental harm including IQ loss, and accumulation in the body over time. Arsenic was found at the highest levels, with cadmium next,” the report states.

In contrast to the high levels of toxic heavy metals found in rice, the 66 samples of nine alternate grains that were tested—including quinoa, farro, and barley— contained 69 percent less heavy metal contamination than rice, on average, “making them safer substitutes.”

Key Findings and Recommendations

Tests of 145 rice samples from retailers nationwide—including U.S.-grown and imported varieties—reveal that rice sold in the United States remains widely contaminated with arsenic. Testing commissioned by HBBF detected arsenic in 100 percent of samples, with more than one-fourth exceeding the federal limit set for infant rice cereal. No such limit exists for the bags and boxes of rice served at family meals, despite it being widely consumed by infants and toddlers. Additionally, cadmium was found in all but one sample, with some showing elevated levels.

What parents can do: The report says that simple changes—such as using safer cooking methods, incorporating alternative grains, and opting for lower-arsenic rice varieties—can make a big difference in lowering exposures.

What FDA can do: The report says that three FDA actions could deliver powerful benefits for families: 

• Setting limits (action levels) for arsenic and cadmium in rice
• Encouraging labels on rice products that meet the infant rice cereal standard
• Requiring testing and public posting of results.

The entire report can be found here.