The Ingredients In Gerber Brown Rice Cereal

Gerber brown rice cereal is an organic rice cereal. Specifically formulated as an infant's first food, Gerber's brown rice cereal's soft texture makes it easy for infants to eat. The brown rice cereal contains natural ingredients designed to be gentle on an infant's digestive system and nutritional content designed for growing babies.

Parents should consult with a pediatrician before introducing soft foods to an infant's diet.

Organic Brown Rice Flour

Gerber's brown rice cereal begins with organic whole grain brown rice flour as the base ingredient. Brown rice, which is un-hulled rice kernels, is ground down into a flour. Brown rice flour normally has a sandy texture, but Gerber grinds it further to make it smooth for infants.

Brown rice flour is gluten-free, allowing for ease in digestion, and has a mild taste. In addition, brown rice flour contains high amounts of fiber and a number of B vitamins.

Vitamins and Minerals

Babies require vitamins and minerals to convert into energy for growing bodies. Gerber adds several of these nutrients to the B vitamins already present in brown rice cereal.

Most of the B vitamins help with strengthening nerves, providing energy and supporting brain function. Gerber's brown rice cereal includes thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrocholoride and cyancobalamin. These are vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 and all are used for energy. Folic acid, a key B vitamin for brain functioning, and niacinamide, a glucose metabolism B vitamin, are included as well.

Gerber includes zinc and iron as part of the brown rice cereal's mineral supplementation. Zinc is essential for enzyme production while iron is necessary for healthy blood.

Gerber brown rice cereal contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that is good for heart health.

Other Ingredients

Gerber adds several other ingredients to aid in baby's growth and brain functioning, as well as one as a preservative.

Soy lecithin, an oil made from soybeans, contains choline, a brain boosting supplemental. Tri-calcium and di-calcium phosphate contain calcium and phosphate in small doses, both of which are necessary for healthy bone growth and formation.

Mixed tocopherols, while not necessary for babies' health, is used for the cereal's freshness.