Source: FDA.gov
Last year, we reported on a debate concerning the levels of arsenic found in rice. You can check out that article here. However, it was just recently reported by the FDA that: “agency scientists determined that the amount of detectable arsenic is too low in the rice and rice product samples to cause any immediate or short-term adverse health effects.” While the news is welcome, “The next step will be to analyze the effects of long-term exposure to these levels of arsenic, a task complicated by the large numbers of rice products. No date has been given for the completion of this risk assessment.”
Amongst the 1300 samples tested, levels of arsenic varied between the foods tested including: “various types of rice grain (e.g., white, jasmine, basmati) and rice products, including: infant and toddler cereals; pasta; grain-based bars; snacks, such as rice cakes; cookies and pastries; desserts and puddings; and beverages, including beer, rice wine and rice water.” Even with variances, the FDA describes that levels did not prove to be high enough to warrant concern when it came to immediate and short-term health effects. Check out the “Summary of Sampling Results” here.
The FDA is continuing to research any potential long-term health effects that may come with consumption of the many rice products that are available to consumers. In the meantime, the FDA recommends eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods; therefore, avoiding overexposure to any single products.
