Title: Arsenic in Food and Dietary Supplements | FDA
Headings: Arsenic in Food and Dietary Supplements
Arsenic in Food and Dietary Supplements
Health Effects from Arsenic Exposure
FDA Monitoring and Testing of Arsenic in Food, including Dietary Supplements
FDA Regulations and Guidance to Industry to Limit Arsenic in Food
Rules and Guidance Documents
More Information for Consumers
Tips for Limiting Exposure to Arsenic

Content: Levels of Exposure
Adverse health effects from arsenic exposure generally require levels of arsenic not typically found in food. According to the World Health Organization External Link Disclaimer and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common source of high levels of inorganic arsenic is contaminated drinking water. In the U.S., to reduce health risks associated with arsenic exposure from drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in public drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb), and the FDA adopted this level for bottled water as well. Because private well water is not routinely tested by government agencies, people who get their water from private wells are advised to test for arsenic (and other contaminants) and contact their state drinking water well program if a problem is suspected. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin disorders and increased risks for skin, bladder, and lung cancers. Short-term exposure to very high amounts of inorganic arsenic can result in nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet. Age
Inorganic arsenic exposure in utero and in the very young is associated with impaired intellectual development, such as decreased performance on certain developmental tests that measure learning. For this reason, the FDA prioritizes monitoring and regulating products that are more likely to be consumed by very young children. FDA Monitoring and Testing of Arsenic in Food, including Dietary Supplements
The FDA tests arsenic levels in foods as part of a comprehensive approach to monitoring toxic elements and nutrients. The agency prioritizes monitoring inorganic arsenic levels in foods more likely to be eaten by infants and toddlers.