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29.05.09, 15:22
DH advice for toddlers and young children (1 ? 5 years) to avoid rice drinks
due to risk of exposure to inorganic arsenic
The Food Standards Agency has today announced the results of a survey of total
and inorganic arsenic levels in 60 samples of rice drinks available in the UK.
Rice drink (also known as rice milk) is a blend of filtered water and rice and
is usually marketed as either a `dairy f! ree-alternative to cows? milk? or a
?low-fat drink? and are usually often consumed by those who wish to avoid
dairy foods. Some toddlers and young children who are allergic to cows? milk
and soya drink are currently advised to use calcium fortified rice drinks.
The Department's Advises:
· All toddlers and young children (aged 1-5 years) should not be given rice
drinks in order to minimise their exposure to inorganic arsenic.
· This is a precautionary measure to minimise children?s exposure to arsenic.
Parents who have given their children rice drinks should be reassured that
there is no immediate risk of harmful effects but in order to reduce further
exposure to inorganic arsenic, they shoul! d stop giving rice drinks to
toddlers and young children.
· Parents of toddlers and young children with diagnosed allergy to cows? milk
and soya drink who are currently consuming rice drinks should be advised of
suitable alternatives such as fully hydrolysed infant formula or oat or almond
drinks. Growth and development of these children should be monitored and
parents should receive specific dietary advice to ensure that t! heir
nutritional needs particularly of calcium are met through a diversified diet.
· Parents of toddlers and young children who are lactose-intolerant or who
have galactosaemia should be advised to give their infant lactose-free formula.