Arsenic in Rice

Last year a news story focused on concerns about arsenic in rice and obviously it generated lots of questions. Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an updated report and it concludes with this statement – “While levels varied significantly depending on the product tested, agency scientists determined that the amount of detectable arsenic is too low in the rice and rice product samples to cause any immediate or short-term adverse health effects.” 1

The FDA conducted tests on 1100 rice samples last fall in response to the news story. At that time the FDA reported low levels of arsenic and no need for changes in eating behaviors. Since that report the FDA has analyzed 200 samples of rice and rice products to bring the total of rice and rice products analyzed to 1300, it is this total number that is the basis of their new report. The products analyzed include rice – white, brown, and instant – and rice based products like cereals, cakes, beverages, snack bars and infant and toddler foods.

As a review, arsenic is a naturally occurring contaminant in soil and water; it is a part of the earth’s crust. Arsenic is also present in the soil due to the mining of land, burning of fuel and the residual of it from pesticides used in the past.  Rice is a crop of focus because it is grown in water and soil but the FDA has been monitoring levels for more than 20 years and there have been no reasons for concern until the report last year.  The FDA’s new report goes on to say that they will continue to assess levels, study how varying levels impact different population groups (pregnant women, infants, ethnic groups who consume lots or rice, etc.) and compare short-term versus long-term potential risks.

In the meantime the FDA recommends that you –

• Eat a well-balanced diet, - use MyPlate as a guide
• Vary your grains – try wheat, barley, oats, quinoa, couscous, etc.
• Consider other cereals besides just rice cereal for an infant’s first solid food.

For more on arsenic in rice visit http://www.fda.gov/Food or contact a Registered Dietitian to discuss your concerns. You can find a Registered Dietitian by visiting www.eatright.org.

1. US Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm367263.htm

 Connie Diekman, M.ED., RD, CSSD, LD

Nutrition Communications Consultant