U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

  1. Home
  2. Food
  3. News & Events from HFP
  4. HFP Constituent Updates
  5. Proposed Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal
  1. HFP Constituent Updates

Proposed Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal

Constituent Update

April 1, 2016

FDA is taking steps to reduce inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, a leading source of arsenic exposure in infants. Through a draft guidance to industry, the FDA is proposing a limit or “action level” of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. FDA testing found that the majority of infant rice cereal currently on the market either meets, or is close to, the proposed action level.

The proposed limit stems from extensive testing of rice and non-rice products, a 2016 FDA risk assessment that analyzed scientific studies showing an association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and neurological effects in early life with inorganic arsenic exposure, and an evaluation of the feasibility of reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.

For More Information

Back to Top