Rice is a common food choice around the world, whether served with sushi, stir-fry or everyday lunch and dinner meals.
However, a new food safety investigation is raising concerns after finding that some rice products contain notable levels of inorganic arsenic, a dangerous form of heavy metal linked to serious health risks.
Consumer Reports Finds Arsenic in Rice Samples
A new investigation by Consumer Reports found that many rice products contained high levels of inorganic arsenic.
Inorganic arsenic is considered more harmful than organic forms of arsenic and is classified as a known carcinogen.
Kevin Loria of Consumer Reports said inorganic arsenic has been linked to health problems such as skin cancer, bladder cancer, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular effects.
Why Rice Can Absorb Arsenic
Arsenic naturally occurs in soil and water.
Because rice is typically grown in flooded fields, the crop can absorb arsenic more easily than some other grains.
This means rice-based foods may carry measurable levels of the heavy metal.
52 Rice Products Tested
Consumer Reports purchased 52 rice products from store shelves and sent them to a specialized laboratory for testing.
Loria said measurable levels of arsenic, specifically inorganic arsenic, were found in every rice sample tested.
Arsenic Levels Differ by Rice Type
The test results showed that arsenic levels varied depending on the kind of rice.
Brown rice was found to contain more inorganic arsenic than white rice of the same type.
Meanwhile, basmati rice and sushi rice generally showed lower arsenic levels compared with some other varieties.
Long-Term Health Concerns
Consumer Reports found that more than 40% of the tested products had enough arsenic that eating one serving every day over time could increase the risk of cancer and Type 2 diabetes.
Some companies, including Lundberg and Whole Foods, told Consumer Reports they test products for heavy metals.
However, many other companies did not respond.
Health Canada’s Position on Arsenic in Food
According to Health Canada, arsenic levels in foods sold in Canada are generally low and have remained stable for many years.
Health Canada recommends reducing exposure by eating a wide variety of healthy foods and choosing different types of whole grains in the diet.
How to Reduce Arsenic When Cooking Rice
Health Canada advises cooking rice in extra water, then draining it and discarding the cooking water.
Consumer Reports also supports this method, saying it can help lower arsenic levels in cooked rice.
Safer Eating Habits
The main advice is not to eat too much rice every day.
People can rotate rice with other side dishes such as quinoa and oats, which testing has shown are lower in arsenic.
When choosing rice, consumers may also consider lower-arsenic options such as basmati and sushi rice.
Rice-Based Drinks and Children
Rice-based milk products are also available.
However, Health Canada says rice-based beverages should not be used as a milk substitute for children under two years old.
The Consumer Reports investigation shows that arsenic can be found in many rice products, with levels varying by rice type.
While rice does not need to be completely avoided, consumers can reduce risk by eating a varied diet, choosing lower-arsenic rice varieties, cooking rice in extra water and rotating rice with grains such as quinoa and oats.