Arsenic in baby foods: health effects and dietary exposure

Health effects of arsenic in adults have been studied and documented more extensively than in infants and children, despite the fact that the younger population is more sensitive and is more exposed. Although rice has the highest concentrations of inorganic arsenic among foods, it is widely consumed by infants and children. The present article discusses the latest global literature on the presence of inorganic arsenic and total arsenic in foods consumed by infants, focusing on the adverse chronic health effects as well as dietary exposure and risk assessment in this population. It also discusses international regulations related to arsenic in rice and other products consumed by infants. Finally, it reviews mitigation strategies to reduce arsenic intake or its effects. It was concluded that the limits regarding iAs in rice-based products need to be included in the Codex Alimentarius standards since these standards are currently used by countries that have not developed their own regional or national regulations. Early-life chronic exposure to arsenic has the potential to affect several systems of the human body, and while some of these effects are likely to remain latent, others become evident in the short term. Worldwide, numerous foods intended for infants and children, including infant formula, contain high levels of iAs, particularly rice and rice-based products.