Let's Talk About Toxic Rice, Straight Up
Detrimental amounts of hazardous metals identified in widely-consumed rice brands within the United States, according to research findings
Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a non-profit organization based in D.C., has cracked the code on some unpleasant truths about rice. Rice samples, you'll find in grocery stores nationwide, contain toxic heavy metals like arsenic.
In a recent investigation, they discovered arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in 100% of 145 purchased rice samples. The arsenic levels in some samples even surpassed the federal limit for arsenic in infant rice cereal. Shockingly, there's no limit for arsenic in rice intended for family meals, despite its widespread consumption by infants and toddlers.
Big Bummer: Brown Rice Exceptionally Toxic
The study included ten types of grain and over 100 brands from stores in 20 major U.S. cities. The bad news? Arsenic was found in the highest levels, followed closely by cadmium. Here's the kicker: brown rice grown in the southeast or labeled as 'USA-grown' showed the highest average levels of heavy metals.
A Rose by Any Other Name: White Rice vs. Brown
While many consider brown rice to be the healthier option, this study findings suggest that white rice grown in the southeast actually reveals consistently lower levels of heavy metals, especially arsenic.
Rice varieties like Thai jasmine rice and Indian basmati rice, as well as California-grown rice, generally contain lower heavy metal levels compared to other varieties tested. Yet, basmati rice from India and arborio rice from Italy had the highest average cadmium levels.
Lead and mercury were the least common heavy metals detected.
Michael Klein, spokesperson for the USA Rice Federation, affirmed that American-grown rice has the lowest levels of arsenic worldwide. However, he cautioned that the data may be misleading and emphasized that all highlighted examples in the report are below FDA recommended guidelines.
By following simple, practical steps like cooking rice in plenty of water, rinsing or soaking raw rice, and using alternative grains like quinoa and barley, families can significantly reduce exposure to these harmful substances.
Worried about the safety of the food your little ones are consuming? Advocate for the FDA to establish enforceable limits on arsenic in all rice to better protect our families across the country.
[1] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/arsenic-health-effects/[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814617307353[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618996/[4] https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/abs/10.1289/ehp.1510039[5] https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2021/03/25/rice-arsenic-content.aspx
- The health-and-wellness community is alarmed by a study conducted by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, which found toxic heavy metals like arsenic in all 145 rice samples purchased from grocery stores across the United States.
- The arsenic levels in some rice samples exceeded the federal limit for arsenic in infant rice cereal, raising concerns about the health of infants and toddlers who consume rice.
- Surprisingly, there's no limit for arsenic in rice intended for family meals, despite its widespread consumption.
- The study, which included ten types of grain and over 100 brands from stores in 20 major U.S. cities, found that arsenic was present in the highest levels, followed closely by cadmium.
- Brown rice grown in the southeast or labeled as 'USA-grown' showed the highest average levels of heavy metals.
- While brown rice is often considered healthier, this study suggests that white rice grown in the southeast has lower levels of heavy metals, particularly arsenic.
- Rice varieties like Thai jasmine rice and Indian basmati rice, as well as California-grown rice, generally contain lower heavy metal levels compared to other varieties tested.
- To reduce exposure to these harmful substances, families can take simple steps like cooking rice in plenty of water, rinsing or soaking raw rice, and using alternative grains like quinoa and barley.
