Inorganic Arsenic in Foods, Beverages, & Supplements
While many food and supplement products contain detectable levels of arsenic, not all forms of arsenic pose the same health risks or fall under regulatory scrutiny. Over two dozen arsenic species have been identified in various foods. Differentiating between toxic and non-toxic forms through speciation analysis is now more critical than ever — especially as global regulatory agencies tighten their focus on inorganic arsenic, the most harmful form.
Inorganic arsenic is classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In response to evidence of its health risks — including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and developmental effects — regulatory bodies have taken significant steps, such as the action levels established by the US FDA for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals and apple juice.
Our Expertise
To support compliance and consumer safety, Brooks Applied Labs offers advanced testing services that distinguish inorganic arsenic from the many other naturally occurring, less harmful arsenic compounds. Our speciation methods cover a wide range of sample types — including foods (e.g., rice, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and seaweed), dietary supplements and raw ingredients, and beverages (e.g., fruit juices, bottled waters, wines, beers, and plant-based drinks) — and can quantify down to 1 – 2 ppb inorganic arsenic in most products.
Underscoring the accuracy and reliability of our methods, they are not only accredited to the ISO 17025 standard but have been utilized in international initiatives to develop certified reference materials for inorganic arsenic — including BARI-1 (Baby Cereal Coarse Rice Flour), KRIK-1 (Cricket Flour), and CAME-1 (Canola Meal).
By providing precise, regulatory-aligned data, we help manufacturers ensure their products are both safe and market-ready—without unnecessary recalls or reformulations due to non-toxic arsenic forms.