Baby cereals sold at Walmart, reminiscent of arsenic levels

WEDNESDAY, October 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Maple Island Inc. announced on Friday that it had withdrawn three batches of rice from baby cereals of a parent’s choice due to increased levels of arsenic in the products.

A sample of the three batches, which were sold only at Walmart, was tested above the guidelines for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic, according to a company announcement in a withdrawal from Maple Island published on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website. Heavy metal is associated with impaired development in children.

“Studies show that reducing exposure to toxic elements is important in minimizing the potential long-term effects on the developing brains of infants and children,” the memo said. “The FDA has recognized that micronutrients like these are widely present in the environment, including water, soil and food.”

The 8 ounce withdrawn lots were sold after April 5, 2021 and include:

• Lot 21083 with UPC code # 00681131082907 with the best if used until June 24, 2022.
• Lot 21084 with UPC code # 00681131082907 with the best if used by June 25, 2022.
• Lot 21242 with UPC code # 00681131082907 with the best if used by November 30, 2022.

The best, if used by date and product number, is in the lower left corner of the back of the Pack of Baby Cereal Rice Pack, the company said in a statement announcing the withdrawal.

According to Maple Island, no diseases related to the withdrawn products have been reported.

Customers who have purchased withdrawn baby cereals should discard them or return them to Walmart for a full refund, the company said.

Users can call Maple Island Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time at 1-800-369-1022.

Last year, the FDA set a guideline for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic, and in April announced plans to propose restrictions on arsenic, lead and mercury in baby food, CBS News reported.

About four months ago, Beech-Nut Nutrition recalled some rice cereals for babies sold nationwide after samples showed excessive levels of arsenic,CBS News said. The baby food manufacturer said at the time that it would stop selling the product due to concerns that it could not comply with federal restrictions on arsenic levels.