Petite village

 

   by  Gabriella Vetere, RD

 

There has been a lot of hype lately concerning certain food items that contain the compound arsenic that has been linked to cancer, and developmental effects especially in children.  Today while watching the news I saw a new research study that actually alarmed me because high levels of the compound was found in foods I may consume, that my sister consumes every morning before her run, and infants everyday!

 

From Today Health.com: "High levels of arsenic, a chemical linked to cancer, chronic diseases and developmental effects, have been found in foods that list organic brown rice syrup as a primary ingredient, according to a new study from Dartmouth University."

 

It seems as if we are dealing with two devils now. Organic brown rice syrup has been the main substitute for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Health nuts everywhere looked to items with organic brown rice syrup instead of HFCS in food items such a cereal bars, muffins, and even gels and blocks that are used by long distance runners. Organic brown rice syrup is also found in baby formula, which is causing most of the scare now because that is a important time for development.

 

"One of the infant formulas tested contained twice the inorganic arsenic allowed in drinking water, according to Environmental Protection Agency standards. One cereal bar contained 12 times the legal limit for drinking water of 10 parts per billion (ppb). High-energy foods tested had 8 to 17 times the limit."

 

This is shocking because all this time we thought we were doing something great for our bodies by choosing a more natural source of glucose, but now should we be scared?

 

It has been seen that inorganic arsenic has been linked to cancer, but experts are split on whether organic arsenic has the same effect. Also, the lead author of the study, Brian Jackson, is more concerned about the compound in infant formula versus the cereal bars and energy gels/blocks.

 

"When it comes to the energy shots and cereal bars, 'I don’t think there’s a real immediate danger,' said Jackson, a research associate professor. 'The only comparison is drinking water and the risk factors are based on lifetime exposure.' Infant formulas with high arsenic levels are more of a concern. 'It’s probably not a good thing for an infant to be exposed to those levels of arsenic,' Jackson said. “We don’t know the effects of long-term exposure.”

 

I think that the real concern here is whether or not organic brown rice syrup should really be in infant formula. This is the main source of their nutrition and their metabolism and way infants excrete toxins is far different than an adult.

 

Main message: Parents should consider whether or not they want to continue using a formula with organic brown rice syrup. For adults, I would consider making your own cereal bars with real organic cane sugar or agave. If you are a runner you can make the decision on whether to continue to use blocks or an alternate source of quick glucose. 

 

Don't be SCARED, but be well informed. That is why I am here to inform you.