Arsenic and Young Lace

Texas Rice Field, circa 1910   (Public Domain)

Mother’s milk should never be mixed with arsenic, so why should baby food?

Such was the thinking that propelled Beech-Nut to pull some products from the market.  When its infant cereal was found to exceed “100 parts per billion of arsenic,” out it went.  The company will now avoid selling any kind of baby rice cereals.

Arsenic naturally exists in water, and rice grows in that medium.  After absorbing enough of this inorganic element, rice becomes somewhat toxic to humans.   It can particularly impact “a developing baby’s brain,” but can also negatively affect the health of adults.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/beech-nut-recalls-baby-rice-cereal-after-finding-high-arsenic-levels-and-leaves-market/ar-AAKS8Fr?ocid=uxbndlbing

Copyright June 10, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved