We’re still reeling from the news that a common ingredient in energy drinks has been linked to blood cancer, and now, another study has found arsenic in a common household food. What is going on with the world??
A report from Healthy Babies, Bright Futures revealed that 100% of 145 brands of rice sold across the United States contained arsenic. The study also found that more than 1 in 4 samples exceeded the FDA’s safety limit for infant rice cereal.
But it gets worse. Further research also uncovered traces of inorganic arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in some rice samples. The amount of heavy metals found in each grain depended on where the rice came from. For example, white rice grown in California and jasmine rice from Thailand had lower levels of metals compared to brown rice and white rice grown in the Southeast U.S.
Naturally, this is a huge deal. The rice samples were pulled from regular grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Walmart, meaning it’s not just limited to specialty brands. And consuming high levels of arsenic can cause serious health issues, including kidney cancer and Type 2 diabetes. The FDA has even labeled inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen—a substance known to cause cancer.
The FDA has set a limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, but has yet to establish a specific threshold for general rice consumption. While the trace amounts of arsenic found in rice may not pose an immediate threat, it’s recommended to be mindful of your consumption, especially if you’re eating rice on a daily basis.
So, what does the USA Rice Federation have to say about all of this? Well, in a statement given to CBS News, they said, “We know that arsenic in food is alarming for many consumers, and that you may have questions. While we do not agree that there is a public health safety issue from trace amounts of arsenic in rice, we will continue working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure the U.S. rice supply meets any threshold established.”
If you’re concerned about arsenic levels, which many of us are, it might be time to switch it up and try other grains like quinoa or barley for a bit. Maybe start eating spaghetti squash or buckwheat. And perhaps, it’s time we all go on a mini rice vacation.
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