Parents of young children and individuals who regularly purchase organic products tend to be two groups of consumers who also read labels. They understand that labels contain a wealth of information about the nutritional contents and value of any edible product that they are considering for purchase.

However, even ingredients which seem harmless or even healthy can be deceiving. A Dartmouth University study recently revealed that a popular sweetening ingredient often used in infant formula and organic processed foods is turning these items into dangerous products.

Problematic levels of arsenic have recently been discovered in foods which feature organic brown rice syrup near the top of their ingredient lists. Organic foods and infant formula often contain organic brown rice syrup in place of high fructose corn syrup. Arsenic is a highly dangerous substance and has been linked to chronic disease, developmental issues and the development of cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employs limits for arsenic in drinking water. When Dartmouth researchers tested infant formula, one featured arsenic at levels which are twice the legal limit for water, and 20 times the limit found in formulas produced without the syrup. Some organic foods containing the syrup featured arsenic at up to 17 times the legal limit for water.

We have discussed in the past how vital it is that consumers stay educated about the products they have purchased or may consider purchasing in the future. Many parents of infants and organic-inclined consumers trust that when they purchase organic products, they are avoiding dangerous compounds. Unfortunately this may not be the case in products featuring organic brown rice syrup.

Source: MSNBC, "High arsenic levels found in organic foods, baby formula," Linda Carroll, Feb. 16, 2012