On April 1, 2016, FDA issued a draft guidance proposing to limit inorganic arsenic to 100 parts per billion in infant rice cereal, a leading source of arsenic exposure in infants. The proposed limit, which will now meet Europe's established limit, stems from extensive testing of rice and non-rice products, a 2016 FDA risk assessment, and an evaluation of the feasibility of reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. The FDA found that inorganic arsenic exposure in infants and pregnant women can result in a child's decreased performance on developmental tests. However, according to the Agency, the majority of infant rice cereal currently on the market either meets or is close to the proposed action level. FDA is accepting public comments on the proposed action level and the risk assessment for 90 days after the draft guidance document's publication date.
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