They are foods many think are super-healthy. The government says the levels of arsenic found in them are small, but worth watching.
Dartmouth College researchers say some products made with organic brown rice syrup contain arsenic.
They tested several widely-consumed foods - child formulas, cereal & energy bars, and "energy shots" used by athletes.
Out of 17 baby formulas tested, arsenic was found in 2 toddler formulas-- Baby's Only Organic Dairy and Baby's Own Organic Soy Formula.
One had 6 times the federal limit for arsenic allowed in drinking water.
There are no federal standards for arsenic in food. Arsenic has been used in pesticides and fertilizer. Brown rice may have more of it than white rice, because it tends to settle in the portion of the rice grain removed when brown rice is polished to become white rice.
The FDA acknowledges there are trace amounts in many foods, and says it has expanded its surveillance of rice. The agency has a study underway to determine the level and types of arsenic typically found in the products. That study is due to be completed this spring.
Some studies show the toxin in high levels ingested over time can lead to cancer.
ABC News Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Richard Besser says this study is worrisome.
"Young children are developing, their brains are developing, their bodies are growing and you want to reduce their exposure to things that can be toxic," he told Action News.
The maker of Baby's Only formulas says its own independent testing shows no arsenic.
Right now, Dr. Besser recommends parents stop using the toddler formula. And ask your pediatrician if it is even necessary.
As for the cereal and energy bars, arsenic was found in all 29 bars tested.
The ones with organic brown rice syrup, rice flour, rice grain, or rice flakes among their main ingredients had the highest levels of toxin.
Dr. Besser says right now, for adults there is no reason to panic.
"If you eat a bar every day or every week, the levels won't put you much in the way of risk," he says.
Still, he says you should read labels, and find out if what you are eating is affected. Ingredients are listed by amount. The higher on the list, the greater the amount.
Dr. Besser echoes the call of the Dartmouth College researchers for stricter guidelines to reduce the levels of arsenic and other toxins in our environment.
