You may have heard about the concerns raised regarding arsenic in various baby foods and wondered if it was true or just more fearmongering from the internet.
Unfortunately, it’s true that heavy metals, such as arsenic (a known toxin), have been an issue in foods for decades. Food can be contaminated by soil, air, and water, so arsenic is found in virtually every food at varying levels.
This means there are worrisome amounts of arsenic in certain foods that babies consume on a regular basis. The good news is that there are ways to modify food to reduce arsenic levels for our little ones who are especially vulnerable to harm.
In this week's blog, we cover all the information you need to know about arsenic in your baby’s food, including how to limit it, what the long-term effects are, and which foods are of the biggest concern.
Here are the topics we cover:
- MLE recommendations on arsenic in baby food
- What is arsenic?
- How does arsenic get into our food?
- What foods contain arsenic?
- How to limit arsenic exposure for babies
- What are the risks of arsenic exposure for babies?
- Is arsenic a concern for babies worldwide?
- Arsenic regulations for baby foods
- Concerns regarding government regulations
- Arsenic Q&A
As an adjunt to this blog, we also released our blog on Rice for babies: how to serve it safely from 6 months+. While rice cereal isn't necessarily a product we recommend as a staple food for babies, we do think offering rice to your baby works as part of a healthy diet, provides an amazing texture experience, and offers lots of nutrition for your baby we don't think they should ever miss out on!
Topics include:
- When can babies have rice?
- Can babies digest starches like rice?
- Is rice a choking hazard for babies?
- Arsenic in rice & rice products
- Best rice for babies
- How to cook rice to reduce arsenic levels
- How to serve rice according to the Texture Timeline™
- Can you cook rice and store it for later?
- Rice for babies around the world
- Nutritional benefits of cooked rice
- Can babies be allergic to rice?
- Rice FAQs (constipation, brown vs white rice)
Free Webinar
"Love at First Bite: Starting Solids with Serenity Kids & My Little Eater"
Join us for an exclusive and insightful online event with Serenity Carr, fellow mom, co-founder, and CEO of Serenity Kids, and Edwena Kennedy, Registered Dietitian and owner of My Little Eater, as they share their expertise on introducing purees and solid foods to your baby's diet. This engaging session will cover practical tips, nutritional advice, brain-boosting macronutrients, and ways to ease the anxiety many parents feel when starting solids.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to:
- Interact directly with Serenity & Edwena and ask them all of your burning questions
- Hear Serenity’s first-hand experience starting solids with her daughter Della and hear her philosophy on why a savory flavor profile is better than sweet
- Gain Edwena’s expert perspective on how to start solids, set up stress-free mealtimes, and move through textures confidently
- Ask why Serenity Kids uses specific foods and macronutrients in their recipes and more, all in a supportive community setting!
Hope to see you there!
Edwena Kennedy, RD
Registered Pediatric Dietitian & Feeding Expert
Owner, My Little Eater
Creator of The Texture Timeline™
Instagram: @mylittleeater
