Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment Public Health England has made of the hazards to young children of eating rice and rice products contaminated by natural inorganic arsenic.

In 2003 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) carried out a study to assess infants’ exposure to metals and other elements from weaning foods. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, were reassured that arsenic intakes did not appear to have increased since the previous 1999 survey. They advised that exposure to inorganic arsenic from all sources should be as low as reasonably practicable.

In 2007 the FSA carried out a study to assess infants’ exposure to inorganic arsenic from weaning foods, including baby rice and rice cakes. The FSA concluded at that time that the measured levels did not change the 2003 advice.

In 2009 the FSA assessed the risk to toddlers and young children from consuming rice drinks, which are often referred to as ‘rice milk’. The FSA concluded that toddlers and young children should not be given rice drinks as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cows’ milk, on nutritional grounds and because this can increase intake of inorganic arsenic. This advice was communicated to health practitioners and is available on both the FSA website and NHS choices website.

In order to assess current United Kingdom exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and young children, the FSA is carrying out a survey of inorganic arsenic and other contaminants in weaning foods and other foods that are commonly consumed by infants. This will look at exposure to inorganic arsenic from weaning foods such as baby rice and baby rice cakes, and exposure from rice and rice products that are not specifically intended for infants.

This study will be published in the New Year. The FSA will consider whether there is a need for further risk management action to be taken in the UK, to compliment the proposed European Union maximum limits for inorganic arsenic in rice.