Photo: ThamKC / iStock / Getty Images
A recent study by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures has revealed that toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, are present in popular rice brands across the United States. The study tested 145 rice samples from various stores in 20 metropolitan areas, including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Arsenic was found in all samples, with one in four exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) arsenic limit for infant rice cereal, set at 100 parts per billion (ppb) in 2021.
The study highlighted that brown rice, especially that grown in the southeast or labeled "grown in the USA," showed the highest levels of heavy metals. In contrast, Thai jasmine rice, Indian basmati rice, and rice grown in California generally had lower levels of these metals. The report noted that long-term exposure to arsenic could lead to serious health risks, including cancer and developmental harm.
The USA Rice Federation, representing American rice farmers, acknowledged the presence of arsenic but emphasized their commitment to providing safe and nutritious food. They stated that American-grown rice contains some of the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic globally. The Federation plans to work with the FDA to ensure compliance with any established thresholds.
Despite these findings, there is currently no federal limit for arsenic in rice consumed by the general population, which raises concerns about the safety of rice served at family meals.