What Are the Current Findings Concerning Arsenic in Foods?

Abstract

Recently the topic of arsenic in the US food supply has sparked considerable discussion in the public, scientific, and regulatory fields. Arsenic is an element present in the environment from both natural and human sources. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that arsenic occurs in the environment from erosion of arsenic-containing rocks, volcanic eruptions, contamination from mining and smelting ores, and previous or current use of arsenic-containing pesticides.1US Food and Drug Administration. Arsenic. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm280202.htm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar There are two types of arsenic compounds in water, food, air, and soil: organic and inorganic (these together are referred to as “total arsenic”). Health issues are attributed to inorganic arsenic, which is listed as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization.2US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryToxicological Profile for Arsenic. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA2007Google Scholar In addition to certain types of cancer, overexposure has been associated with alterations in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematogical, pulmonary, neurological, immunological, and reproductive/developmental functions.3Hojsak I. Braegger C. Bronsky J. et al.Arsenic in rice: A cause for concern: Consensus Statement from the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015; 60: 142-145Crossref PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar In children exposed to arsenic, reports have documented the development of cancers and lung disease later in life.3Hojsak I. Braegger C. Bronsky J. et al.Arsenic in rice: A cause for concern: Consensus Statement from the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015; 60: 142-145Crossref PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Reference Dose for inorganic arsenic at 0.3 μg/kg/day.4US Environmental Protection Agency. Arsenic Compounds Fact Sheet. http://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/hlthef/arsenic.html. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar This level represents an estimate of the daily exposure, over a lifetime, that should not result in any adverse non-cancer health effects.The main sources of human exposure to arsenic are water and food. Water is regulated by the EPA, and in 2001, the agency adopted a new stricter standard for arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion.5US Environmental Protection Agency. Arsenic Rule. http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/regulations.cfm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar In 2013, the FDA proposed an action level of 10 parts per billion, for apple juice.6FDA proposes “action level” for arsenic in apple juice [press release] US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MDJuly 12, 2013http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm360466.htmGoogle Scholar There are no standards for arsenic in food products despite the fact that food sources are the main source of exposure.Both forms of arsenic are found in many foods, including grains, fruits, and vegetables, where it is present due to absorption through the soil and water. While most crops don’t readily take up much arsenic from the ground, rice is unusually efficient at absorbing this element from the soil; it can absorb up to 10 times higher amounts than other grains.7Schmidt C.W. In search of the “just right”: The challenge of regulating arsenic in rice.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015; 123: A16-A19Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar In addition, some seafood has high levels of less-toxic organic arsenic. It is critical to differentiate the specific forms of arsenic that are found in foods. To help identify arsenic levels in food, the FDA has been measuring arsenic concentrations in foods, including rice and juices, through its Total Diet Study program since 1991. The FDA has increased testing and in 2012 and 2013 released analytical findings for 1,300 food samples. In addition, Consumer Reports magazine published their findings of arsenic in foods in January 2012, November 2012, and January 2015.The FDA is working with federal partners—including the US Department of Agriculture, EPA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—as well as with industry scientists, consumer groups, and others to further study the issue of arsenic in rice and evaluate ways to reduce exposure.The FDA recommends:•eating a well-balanced diet;•varying your grains; and•considering alternatives for an infant's first solid food.8US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Explores Impact of Arsenic in Rice. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352569.htm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google ScholarIn addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics Arsenic in Rice Expert Work Group reached a consensus, recommending the use of oatmeal instead of rice cereal as the preferred thickener for dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux issues. In older children, cornstarch or gum-based thickeners would be suitable alternatives.9AAP Arsenic in Rice Expert Work GroupAAP group offers advice to reduce infants’ exposure to arsenic in rice.AAP News. 2014; 35: 13Google ScholarRegistered dietitian nutritionists should be aware of at-risk populations such as infants, pregnant women, vegans, vegetarians, or individuals with celiac disease, and provide strategies to lower their intake of higher inorganic arsenic foods. Recently the topic of arsenic in the US food supply has sparked considerable discussion in the public, scientific, and regulatory fields. Arsenic is an element present in the environment from both natural and human sources. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that arsenic occurs in the environment from erosion of arsenic-containing rocks, volcanic eruptions, contamination from mining and smelting ores, and previous or current use of arsenic-containing pesticides.1US Food and Drug Administration. Arsenic. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm280202.htm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar There are two types of arsenic compounds in water, food, air, and soil: organic and inorganic (these together are referred to as “total arsenic”). Health issues are attributed to inorganic arsenic, which is listed as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization.2US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryToxicological Profile for Arsenic. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA2007Google Scholar In addition to certain types of cancer, overexposure has been associated with alterations in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematogical, pulmonary, neurological, immunological, and reproductive/developmental functions.3Hojsak I. Braegger C. Bronsky J. et al.Arsenic in rice: A cause for concern: Consensus Statement from the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015; 60: 142-145Crossref PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar In children exposed to arsenic, reports have documented the development of cancers and lung disease later in life.3Hojsak I. Braegger C. Bronsky J. et al.Arsenic in rice: A cause for concern: Consensus Statement from the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015; 60: 142-145Crossref PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Reference Dose for inorganic arsenic at 0.3 μg/kg/day.4US Environmental Protection Agency. Arsenic Compounds Fact Sheet. http://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/hlthef/arsenic.html. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar This level represents an estimate of the daily exposure, over a lifetime, that should not result in any adverse non-cancer health effects. The main sources of human exposure to arsenic are water and food. Water is regulated by the EPA, and in 2001, the agency adopted a new stricter standard for arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion.5US Environmental Protection Agency. Arsenic Rule. http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/regulations.cfm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar In 2013, the FDA proposed an action level of 10 parts per billion, for apple juice.6FDA proposes “action level” for arsenic in apple juice [press release] US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MDJuly 12, 2013http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm360466.htmGoogle Scholar There are no standards for arsenic in food products despite the fact that food sources are the main source of exposure. Both forms of arsenic are found in many foods, including grains, fruits, and vegetables, where it is present due to absorption through the soil and water. While most crops don’t readily take up much arsenic from the ground, rice is unusually efficient at absorbing this element from the soil; it can absorb up to 10 times higher amounts than other grains.7Schmidt C.W. In search of the “just right”: The challenge of regulating arsenic in rice.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015; 123: A16-A19Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar In addition, some seafood has high levels of less-toxic organic arsenic. It is critical to differentiate the specific forms of arsenic that are found in foods. To help identify arsenic levels in food, the FDA has been measuring arsenic concentrations in foods, including rice and juices, through its Total Diet Study program since 1991. The FDA has increased testing and in 2012 and 2013 released analytical findings for 1,300 food samples. In addition, Consumer Reports magazine published their findings of arsenic in foods in January 2012, November 2012, and January 2015. The FDA is working with federal partners—including the US Department of Agriculture, EPA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—as well as with industry scientists, consumer groups, and others to further study the issue of arsenic in rice and evaluate ways to reduce exposure. The FDA recommends:•eating a well-balanced diet;•varying your grains; and•considering alternatives for an infant's first solid food.8US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Explores Impact of Arsenic in Rice. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352569.htm. Accessed March 27, 2015.Google Scholar In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics Arsenic in Rice Expert Work Group reached a consensus, recommending the use of oatmeal instead of rice cereal as the preferred thickener for dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux issues. In older children, cornstarch or gum-based thickeners would be suitable alternatives.9AAP Arsenic in Rice Expert Work GroupAAP group offers advice to reduce infants’ exposure to arsenic in rice.AAP News. 2014; 35: 13Google Scholar Registered dietitian nutritionists should be aware of at-risk populations such as infants, pregnant women, vegans, vegetarians, or individuals with celiac disease, and provide strategies to lower their intake of higher inorganic arsenic foods.