Report Finds Worrisome Levels of Arsenic in Rice

YONKERS, N.Y.A new Consumer Reports investigation released today found worrisome levels" of arsenic in organic rice baby cereal, rice breakfast cereals, brown rice, white rice and other types of rice products purchased by U.S. consumers. The latest report comes nearly one year after a Consumer Reports investigation revealed 10% of its apple juice samples, from five brands, had total arsenic levels that exceeded federal drinking-water standards.

For the rice investigation, Consumer Reports tested arsenic levels in more than 200 samples of various rice products, including iconic labels and store brands, gluten-free offerings, organic products and conventional ones. Results found measurable amounts of total arsenic in its two forms. Significant levels of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, were detected in almost every product category, along with organic arsenic, which is considered nontoxic.

No federal limit exists for arsenic in most foods, but the standard for drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb). Though rice isnt the only dietary source of arsenicsome vegetables, fruits, and even water can harbor itthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assumes there is actually no safe" level of exposure to inorganic arsenic.

Consumer Reports also discovered that some infant rice cereals had levels of inorganic arsenic at least five times more than has been found in alternatives, such as oatmeal.

The USA Rice Federation said the Consumer Reports article failed to add meaningfully to the public discourse about this important issue. Instead, the article is incomplete and inaccurate on many levels: it employs an arsenic content standard" that simply doesnt exist in federal law. It cites federal health data to allege health risk from arsenic ingestion when that data is based on arsenic excreted from, rather than absorbed by, the body. It offers consumption advice without addressing all of the relevant public health issues that must be taken into account.

USA Rice Federation issued the following statement in response to the article:

We understand that arsenic is an alarming word, but we believe it is important for consumers to know that arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our air, water, rocks and soil. This is how plants uptake arsenic. As a result, its always been in the food supply and is in many healthy foods that are consumed by billions of people every day. No arsenical pesticides are used when growing U.S. rice.

Rice is a nutritious food and an important part of a healthy diet. Rice contains more than 15 vitamins and minerals that help protect against disease and ensure healthy growth during pregnancy and childhood. We are aware of concerns about the level of arsenic in food, but are not aware of any established studies directly connecting rice consumption and adverse health effects. In fact, populations with high rice consumption are associated with less overall disease rates and with better health, and scientific studies show that people who eat rice have healthier diets.

 The fact is that the Food and Drug Administration is not recommending consumers change their diet based on this article. We agree with FDA that any limits set for arsenic in rice products should be the result of a carefully conducted risk-assessment -- based on an adequate sample of well-constructed tests -- that balances any yet-to-be-validated risk against years of sound research into rices many nutritional benefits.

The rice industry is committed to ensuring the quality and safety of rice and rice-based products. We will continue to work with regulators, including FDA, food scientists, nutritionists and manufacturers as they examine the issue. Additionally, we are conducting our own research to ensure that U.S. rice remains a safe, nutritious and affordable food for consumers."

FDA today also released preliminary data on arsenic levels in rice and rice products, and noted based on the currently available data and scientific literature the agency does not have an adequate scientific basis to recommend changes by consumers regarding their consumption of rice and rice products.

FDAs analysis of these initial samples, which include various brands of rice (non-Basmati), Basmati rice, brown rice, rice cereals (puffed, non-puffed, hot cereal, and infant cereals), rice cakes and rice milk, found average levels of inorganic arsenic for the various rice and rice products of 3.5 to 6.7 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving. Serving sizes varied depending on the rice product (for example, one serving of non-Basmati rice was equal to one cup cooked).

The data are part of a larger FDA data collection and analysis about arsenic levels in rice and is based on the first set of approximately 200 samples of rice and rice products collected in the U.S. marketplace. FDA is in the process of collecting and analyzing a total of approximately 1,200 samples to examine the issue thoroughly. The data collection will be completed by the end of 2012. Once the data collection is completed, FDA will analyze the results and determine whether or not to issue additional recommendations.

We understand that consumers are concerned about this matter. Thats why the FDA has prioritized analyzing arsenic levels in rice. The FDA is committed to ensuring that we understand the extent to which substances such as arsenic are present in our foods, what risks they may pose, whether these risks can be minimized, and to sharing what we know," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. Our advice right now is that consumers should continue to eat a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of grainsnot only for good nutrition but also to minimize any potential consequences from consuming any one particular food."

It is critical to not get ahead of the science," said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael Taylor. The FDA's ongoing data collection and other assessments will give us a solid scientific basis for determining what action levels and/or other steps are needed to reduce exposure to arsenic in rice and rice products."