Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

Simple Truth organic baby food can contain trace amounts of arsenic, as most baby foods do, because the element occurs naturally in soil and water. Rice and rice-based products tend to carry the most. Organic status does not remove arsenic, but varying your baby’s grains and cooking choices can meaningfully lower what they take in.

Why Simple Truth Organic Baby Food Can Contain Arsenic

Arsenic is found in many soils and groundwater, and plants absorb it through their roots. Rice is especially efficient at pulling arsenic from flooded paddy soil, so rice cereals and snacks often test higher than other grains. Organic farming rules limit synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, but they do not screen out naturally occurring metals. That is why an organic label on a jar of Simple Truth baby food tells you about farming practices, not about arsenic content.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Gerber vs Organic Baby Food: Which Should You Choose?.

Brands sourcing from different regions can see different results. Two batches of the same product may contain different amounts depending on where the grain or produce was grown.

Factors That Affect How Much Arsenic Your Baby Gets

Three factors matter most: the ingredient, how often your baby eats it, and how the food was prepared.

  • Ingredient type. Rice cereal and rice-based puffs generally carry more inorganic arsenic than fruits, vegetables, or oat and barley cereals.
  • Frequency. A single serving is rarely the concern. Daily rice cereal across many months adds up.
  • Cooking water. Cooking rice in extra water and draining it, as the FDA recommends for home-cooked rice, can cut inorganic arsenic noticeably. Mixing rice cereal with breast milk or formula is usually easier to control than cooking it yourself, so check the label for how it is prepared.

Health agencies such as the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise variety in your baby’s diet rather than relying on one grain. Exact limits depend on your child’s weight and total intake, so a pediatrician can help you judge your child’s situation.

What to Do About Arsenic in Baby Food

You do not need to stop buying organic food to reduce exposure. Simple changes to your routine usually make the biggest difference.

  1. Offer oat, barley, or multigrain cereals in place of rice cereal for at least part of the week.
  2. Rotate fruits, vegetables, and proteins so no single food dominates your baby’s diet.
  3. Read ingredient lists. If rice appears first in a snack or cereal, treat it as a higher-exposure food.
  4. When cooking rice at home, use six to ten times its volume in water, boil, and drain before serving.
  5. Ask your pediatrician about arsenic and other heavy metals if your baby eats rice products daily or you have questions about test results.

What We’d Use

For a rice-free starting point, look for oat-based infant cereal. A common option is View on Amazon, which uses oats instead of rice.

For a varied, low-rice pantry, consider a mixed-grain cereal such as View on Amazon, which spreads your baby’s grain intake across several sources.

To compare brands before you buy, see Organic vs Conventional Baby Food: How Is Organic Baby Food Marketed? (2026) and Sprout Organic Baby Food Heavy Metals: What Parents Need to Know. For a general label checklist, read Organic Baby Food Products: A Buyer's Guide to Labels and Ingredients (2026).

FAQ

Is Simple Truth organic baby food free of arsenic?

No baby food is completely free of arsenic because it occurs naturally in soil and water. Organic certification does not measure or limit it, so check current test information from the manufacturer if this matters to you.

Is rice cereal the biggest source of arsenic for babies?

Rice and rice-based products are among the highest sources, especially when eaten daily. Varying grains and fruits lowers overall exposure.

Should I stop giving my baby organic baby food?

Not necessarily. Organic food avoids synthetic pesticides, which is a separate concern. Focus on variety and preparation, and talk with your pediatrician if you have specific worries about your baby’s diet.

Ready to choose one?

Ethan Brooks

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our natural & eco parenting guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.