FDA Expands Surveillance After Report on Arsenic in Rice

A recent study has reportedly detected inorganic arsenic (Asi) in organic brown rice syrup (OBRS), a prepared foods sweetener sometimes used in lieu of high-fructose corn syrup. Brian P. Jackson, et al., “Arsenic, Organic Foods, and Brown Rice Syrup,” Environmental Health Perspectives, February 2012. Researchers evidently sought to determine “the concentration and speciation of arsenic (As) in commercially available brown rice syrups, and in products containing OBRS including toddler formula, cereal/energy bars, and high energy foods used by endurance athletes.” Their results purportedly indicated that OBRS “can contain high concentrations of Asi and dimethylarsenate (DMA),” raising concerns about products such as organic toddler milk formula that use OBRS as a primary ingredient.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a February 17,
2012, statement pledging to expand “its surveillance activities” in response
to the study’s claims. The agency has also commissioned its own research on
arsenic in rice and rice products slated for completion in Spring 2012.

“FDA is not aware of any brand of infant formula containing organic brown rice syrup (OBRS),” confirms the agency’s statement. “One brand of ‘toddler formula’ uses OBRS as a sweetener. This product is labeled for use in children older than 12 months, however the label also states that a health care professional should be consulted before using this product for infants under 12 months of age.”