Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products

 

Last year a news report looked at arsenic in rice and it generated lots of concerns. Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a follow-up report that indicates that the levels of inorganic arsenic, the toxic form of arsenic, are too low to cause immediate health damage.

The FDA tested more than 1300 samples of rice and rice products and found a range in the amount of arsenic in the samples. In rice grains, the range was from 2.6 to 7.2 micrograms/servings, with instant rice having the lowest amount and brown rice the highest. When it comes to rice based foods the range was from 0.1 to 6.6 micrograms per serving, with infant formula at the low end and rice pasta at the high end.

While the FDA plans to continue assessing the health risks of rice consumption over a long period of time they do have some current recommendations.

The FDA recommends that -

* Consumers focus on a well balanced eating plan – get plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, dairy and grain foods.

* Choose a variety of grains – enjoy wheat, barley, quinoa, oats, wild rice which is a grass not really a rice, and other grains

* Choose a variety of grains for infants first solid food rather than only choosing rice cereal

For more information on arsenic and rice visit www.fda.gov/ForConsumers. For help with your diet, contact a Registered Dietitian. You can find a Registered Dietitian at www.eatright.org.