Food Safety Authority Ireland: Rice Milk Should Not Be Given to Kids Below 4.5 Years

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recently issued a warning that infants and young children under 4.5 years of age should not be consuming rice milk as a substitute for cow's milk, breast milk, or formula milk.

 The warning came as it has come to FSAI's attention that the rice-based infant and follow-on formula called "Prémibio Prémiriz" is being sold online via the co.uk website. The authority had previously warned that rice milk contains low levels of inorganic arsenic, based on their tests, as per The Independent report.

Not legally permitted

The infant formula is not legally permitted to be sold in the European market as it does not meet infants' legal compositional and nutritional requirements. The FSAI is now coordinating with authorities in the U.K. and other EU member states to stop the sale of the product in Europe online as the product should not be placed in the European Market, the Chief Executive of the FSAI, Dr. Pamela Byrne, said.

The agency is also in touch with hospitals and public health professionals to inform them about the sale.

According to Byrne in Irish Mirror, the authority is aware that published studies in the past indicate that low levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in rice-based formula and the follow-on formula in the past. The recommendation is that infants and young children should not have exposure to these products.

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Dangers of arsenic

According to the World Health Organization, Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical element widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water, and land. It is, however, highly toxic in its inorganic form. Inorganic arsenic may come from contaminated water, consuming contaminated food, and smoking tobacco.

Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen. Acute arsenic poisoning causes vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic is observed in pigmentation changes in the skin, skin lesions, and hard patches on the palms and soles of the feet. Long-term exposure is also linked to skin, bladder, and lungs cancers.

Health experts also say that symptoms and signs caused by long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic differ among individuals, population groups, and geographical areas.

FSAI announced that exposure to inorganic arsenic should be kept low as reasonably practicable. As a precaution, the food authority should not give these foods to infants and young children below 4.5 years of age.

Rice Milk is available worldwide

Rice milk is sourced from rice whole grains and is produced through an enzymatic process. The carbohydrates transform into sugar, giving the drink a naturally sweetened taste. Market analyses show that the rice milk market is expected to gain market growth.

The drink is popular for those who are lactose-intolerant and vegans. However, the drink contains almost no protein. Hence, the products are primarily produced with added fortified elements to compensate for their lack of nutrients.

The product is currently available worldwide: in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asian countries. Data Bridge Market Research says the rice milk market is high in North America because of the large percentage of vegans and lactose intolerant population.

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