rice milk/arsenic - ds drink it all the time, feel sick now

[ruty]

I have only just found out about this. Does anyone know anything about it? Ds, 4, has been drinking it since he was under two, Rice Dream. How did this pass me by? Is there any way i can have him tested for levels? Feel awful.

Food Standards Agency say

?The studies make comparisons with drinking water standards that are not appropriate. Drinking water standards are based on a level that is as low as reasonably practicable or achievable in water and it is not relevant to compare with intakes from food."

?The amount of arsenic present in food is regulated by the UK Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 as amended, and all the rice and rice products tested so far do not exceed the limits set by this legislation.?

You could switch to oat milk or almond milk if you are concerned?

yes we're going to stop now although i can't find an alternative that he will drink. I think that is a bit of a cop out by the FSA. He drinks quite a bit of it.

I think the point they are making is that there are different standards for food and for water, because the practical "as low as reasonably practical" limit for water (because it's water, after all, and if there's arsenic in it it's a contaminant) is lower than for food (much of which naturally contains some arsenic without being contaminated at all). You can't judge anything that isn't water by the standards you apply to water.

They do suggest elsewhere in their statement that anyone who is concerned switches, and that their "nothing to worry about" position is based on the average consumer. If your DS has been consuming more than average then it's reasonable to be more concerned than average.

Could you just give him calcium supplements or calcium-rich food? Now he's four he can probably manage without drinking any milk at all.

it is funny i have introduced yoghurts and cheese to him over this past year, and he is tolertating them, but he won't drink cow's milk. He has rice milk with his cereal and a glass at bedtime. Every day.

the Aberdeen University research said rice milk contained 3 times the inorganic arsenic limit for water, and that rice milk as a drink should have the same limit.

heck I've just read this - my DD drinks rice milk by the bucket full - although I heavily dilute it with water(must taste lovely)

Have you swapped over to something else yet?

Must say though, my nephew and niece have both been drinking rice milke for years too.