title: Inorganic arsenic in rice-based products for infants and young children.
abstract: Inorganic arsenic (Asi) is a chronic, non-threshold carcinogen. Rice and rice-based products can be the major source of Asi for many subpopulations. Baby rice, rice cereals and rice crackers are widely used to feed infants and young children. The Asi concentration in rice-based products may pose a health risk for infants and young children. Asi concentration was determined in rice-based products produced in the European Union and risk assessment associated with the consumption of these products by infants and young children, and compared to an identical US FDA survey. There are currently no European Union or United States of America regulations applicable to Asi in food. However, this study suggests that the samples evaluated may introduce significant concentration of Asi into infants' and young children's diets. Thus, there is an urgent need for regulatory limits on Asi in food, especially for baby rice-based products.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.signes-pastor@qub.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Signes-Pastor
authors.affiliation: Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Manus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Meharg
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005062:European Union; D005504:Food Analysis; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Arsenic speciation; Baby rice; Food regulations; Rice cereals; Rice crackers