Response from our Founder on Reports of Arsenic in the Food Supply

Posted by Jessica on February 17th, 2012 under arsenic, brown rice, FDA, food safety, organic rice syrup, Organic Trade Association, USDA.

Recent reports have linked arsenic with organic rice syrup, just as it was linked to apples last year. Because arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our environment, it is present in water, air and soil. It can be found in plants, like apple trees, whether they are grown organically or conventionally.

As a result – arsenic is found in all food products. There are currently no acceptable standards for arsenic levels in food. Nature’s Path agrees and is working with the Organic Trade Association [OTA] to encourage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set and enforce regulatory limits on arsenic in our food supply.

We are working with third party laboratories to independently test our products. As a USDA certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified company, we firmly believe we are providing you with the highest quality food held to the strictest standards possible in today’s environment. You can always be rest assured that we are committed to producing exceptional products and hold quality and food safety, along with the health of our customers, as our top priorities.

Sincerely,

Arran Stephens
President & Founder, Nature’s Path

hello, I am currently

Submitted by ConcernedBabyMOM (not verified) on February 19, 2012 - 17:13.

hello, I am currently nursing a 6 month old and i am extremely concerned about 6 times the arsenic found in ORGANIC BROWN RICE syrup and upon checking, it is a major ingredient in your cereal. I eat this every day and twice daily for vitamins, omega 3 … I need to verify that is your brown rice syrup safe? RW

Thanks so much for reaching

Submitted by Jessica on February 23, 2012 - 11:41.

Thanks so much for reaching out, we absolutely understand your concern. Arsenic does occur naturally, and because it was used for many years in farm pesticides, there are trace elements of arsenic in all food. Please know that we are currently in the process of testing our products. However, the challenge remains that there is no regulation or determination on acceptable arsenic levels in food, which is why it is so important for the FDA to establish standards. As always, we will continue our commitment to providing the highest quality food kept to the strictest standards possible. As soon as we have more information, we will post updates both here & on Facebook. ~Jessica