DeLauro Statement on the FDA’s New Guidance on Arsenic

WASHINGTON, DC (April 1, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding draft guidance announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that would limit the level of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal to 100 parts per billion.

"The FDA's new draft guidance for limiting the levels of inorganic arsenic found in infant rice cereal is a great first step in protecting the health of infants and I am pleased that the agency is finally taking action on this important public health issue. However, the new guidance does not go far enough in ensuring the health of all Americans. What about two-year olds and three-year olds? What about expectant mothers? This is about the health and well-being of our families.

"The FDA should immediately expand the guidance to include proposed action levels on all rice based products. In the meantime, Congress should pass the Reducing food-based Inorganic Compounds Exposure (RICE) Act, which would do just that."

Last year, DeLauro introduced legislation to limit the amount of inorganic arsenic permitted in rice and rice-based products. The RICE Act would require the FDA to set a maximum permissible level of inorganic arsenic in rice and foods containing rice. Exposure to inorganic arsenic in infants and pregnant women has been shown to cause decreased performance by children on developmental tests.

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