Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

Food safety authority warns parents against giving rice milk to young children

It says infants and young children up to four-and-a-half years old should not consume rice milk because of low levels of inorganic arsenic.

IRELAND’S FOOD SAFETY authority is warning parents against giving rice milk to young children.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland advises that infants and young children up to four-and-a-half years old should not consume rice milk as a substitute for cows’ milk, breast milk or infant formula.

Previously, the FSAI has warned about findings that indicated low levels of inorganic arsenic can be found in rice milk.

In a statement today, it said it was aware of a rice-based infant and follow-on formula available to buy online via a co.uk website.

“Such infant formulas are not legally permitted to be sold on the European market, as they do not meet the legal compositional and nutritional requirements for infants,” it said.

“The FSAI is in contact with authorities in the UK and other Member States to discontinue the sale of this product in Europe from this website.”

The authority has contacted hospitals and public health professionals to inform them about the online sales.

FSAI Chief Executive Dr Pamela Byrne explained that exposure to inorganic, toxic arsenic must be kept as low as possible.

“Rice-based infant formula and follow-on formula are not legally permitted to be sold on the European market as they do not meet infants’ nutritional requirements,” Dr Byrne said.

“Also, there is a concern around the inorganic arsenic content of rice-based products intended for young children. The FSAI is aware from published studies that low levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in rice milk in the past and the recommendation is that infants and young children up to 4.5 years are not exposed to these products,” she said.

“Arsenic is present in the environment and, therefore, can be present in a range of foods, including rice, at low levels. The toxicity of arsenic depends on the form in which it is present, this being either organic or inorganic.

The inorganic form is the more toxic form and the FSAI states that exposure to this should be kept as low as reasonably practicable.

“As a precaution, to reduce exposure to inorganic arsenic, parents and guardians should not give these foods to infants and young children up to 4.5 years.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
26 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Linden
    Favourite Gavin Linden
    Report
    Mar 10th 2022, 11:08 PM

    Why do the journal not name the tramps that have been charged with the vicious assault on Tom Niland?

    127
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OConnelj
    Favourite OConnelj
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 6:22 AM

    @Gavin Linden: they will be named soon enough.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Linden
    Favourite Gavin Linden
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 7:06 AM

    @OConnelj: They are named every where else though.

    11
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OConnelj
    Favourite OConnelj
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 7:13 AM

    @Gavin Linden: I didn’t know that Gavin, I haven’t looked.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OConnelj
    Favourite OConnelj
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 7:16 AM

    @OConnelj: when you say “everywhere else” do you mean reputable news sources or some posts on social media?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shaner Mac
    Favourite Shaner Mac
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 8:05 AM

    @OConnelj: RTÉ have named them on their site

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 12:37 PM

    @Gavin Linden: they are named in the article about them

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 6:51 AM

    In all honesty, though, who gives rice milk to children and thinks it’s a healthy choice?

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Longlin
    Favourite Longlin
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 7:03 AM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: It’s scary that they even have to tell people this, but I remember some poor Belgian child dying a few years ago cause their vegan parents somehow thought it was a good idea to wean them on to the like of this. Remember this is a world where they need to put warnings on microwave manuals, to not put animals in them.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rmaybe
    Favourite Rmaybe
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 8:07 AM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: people who’s children have an intolerance to diary which is very common. The problem is people try alternatives without consulting a nutritionist. Probably due to the expense.

    24
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Croke
    Favourite Yvonne Croke
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 8:37 AM

    @Rmaybe: goats milk is a safe alternative, the makeup of goats milk is the nearest of all milks to breast milk.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Gorry
    Favourite Paul Gorry
    Report
    Mar 10th 2022, 10:53 PM

    The world is gone mad isn’t it?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dearbhla O Reilly
    Favourite Dearbhla O Reilly
    Report
    Mar 10th 2022, 11:00 PM

    @Paul Gorry: is it though? Was it always? And now we are of an age to see it for what it really is?

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Gorry
    Favourite Paul Gorry
    Report
    Mar 10th 2022, 11:37 PM

    @Dearbhla O Reilly: caps of to you Dearbhla very fair point.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Susan McMahon
    Favourite Susan McMahon
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 2:58 AM

    Cows milk is for calves. I’ll take my chances with arsenic atm

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ivan Connolly
    Favourite Ivan Connolly
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 5:55 AM

    @Susan McMahon: cows milk may be for calves but if you think drinking something natural like that is wrong how to you reconcile drinking milk from rice. Rice! Surely something that can only exist as a result of an industrial manufacturing process can’t be better than drinking cows milk? Does your cat feel the same way? I mean how do you even milk rice? Their nipples must be tiny.

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DERRY1973
    Favourite DERRY1973
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 6:41 AM

    @Susan McMahon: I’m sure you drank your fair share of milk when you were young, so if it’s only for calves, that would make you a cow now.

    70
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james spice
    Favourite james spice
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 7:55 AM

    @Susan McMahon: cows milk is for calves. Correct. There is no evidence to show that cows milk is harmful for humans. Also correct

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Deegan
    Favourite Stephen Deegan
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 10:15 AM

    @Susan McMahon: It’s been good enough for humans for the last 10,000 years. So much so that we’ve almost lost our adult lactose intolerance that other mammals keep. Now that’s progress!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Juniper
    Favourite Juniper
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 11:14 AM

    @Ivan Connolly: Cats have lactose intolerance. Even though they may enjoy the odd plate of milk, they tend to have nasty diarrhoea afterwards.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 3:23 PM

    @Susan McMahon: Thats not what the article is about, it about possibly poisoning children with oat extract.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerrard
    Favourite Gerrard
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 9:45 AM

    Vegan warriors trying to push their way on us .. if I want a sizzling steak with cheese and a big pint of milk I will have it so pipe down . 95% of the country like it that way

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 12:34 PM

    @Gerrard: who are you telling to pipe down? Reading through the comments it doesn’t look like anyone is trying to dictate to you.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Barry
    Favourite Pat Barry
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 8:16 AM

    This got a mention on Joe Duffy yesterday as a viable alternative.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Juniper
    Favourite Juniper
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 11:15 AM

    @Pat Barry: As part of a balanced diet, rice milk can be fine. As a substitute for infant formula or breast milk – not so much.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
    Report
    Mar 11th 2022, 3:32 PM

    Rice extract can be a usual diet supplement. It is not milk, nr is any of the other overly prices “milks” being sold. It is extract from nuts.
    The arrogance of people to decide to feed a child a substance that can kill the child due to their beliefs is frightening.
    Not surprising as there are plenty of anti vaxers out there.
    As for vegans, fine if you want to be one, off you go. Just please do not hold a high and mighty attitude and lecture us. Who choose not to be. I respect your decision, not respect mine. I dont want to be told that I am eating a baby, when eating meat. I am eating a farm animal. Possibly a young farm animal. Not a baby. Besides all you do is make me more determined to eat more meat. I try and eat as much free range and ethically farmed meat as possible. It is not always possible on a pension. I am not a middle class professional earning good money.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds