THE country’s food safety watchdog has urged parents not to give their kids a common replacement as it contains low levels of arsenic.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warned against the feeding rice milk to infants and young children as it contains low levels of inorganic arsenic.
Rice milk is often used as a substitute for cows’ milk, breast milk or infant formula.
The FSAI had previously provided warnings on the dangers of such products due to findings that indicated that there are low levels of inorganic arsenic found in rice milk.
And the authority reiterated it advice this evening after it emerged that a rice-based infant and follow-on formula, Premibio Premiriz is available to buy online via a British-based domain website.
FSAI Chief Executive Dr Pamela Byrne said this product should not be placed on the European market as they do not meet the legal compositional and nutritional requirements for infants.
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She explained: “Rice-based infant formula and follow-on formula are not legally permitted to be sold on the European market, as they do not meet infants’ nutritional requirements.
“Also, there is a concern around the inorganic arsenic content of rice-based products intended for young children.
“The FSAI is aware from published studies that low levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in rice milk in the past and the recommendation is that infants and young children up to 4.5 years are not exposed to these products.
“Arsenic is present in the environment and, therefore, can be present in a range of foods, including rice, at low levels. The toxicity of arsenic depends on the form in which it is present, this being either organic or inorganic.
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“The inorganic form is the more toxic form and the FSAI states that exposure to this should be kept as low as reasonably practicable.
“As a precaution, to reduce exposure to inorganic arsenic, parents and guardians should not give these foods to infants and young children up to 4.5 years.
The FSAI said that they have contacted authorities in the UK and other EU member states to discontinue the sale of this product in Europe from this website.
The agency is also contacting the relevant hospitals and public health professionals to inform them of these online sales.
Meanwhile, Eight Irish food businesses were slapped with closure notices in February.
Reasons behind the closures included evidence of extensive rodent activity, substantial accumulation of grease and dirt on surfaces and ready to eat foods stored uncovered and under raw food in a freezer.