Health
Arsenic in Rice Finds New FDA Study
A large sample of native arsenic
A study conducted including over 1300 samples of rice and rice products has found various rice products, including the popular Basmati rice from India, to contain low levels of arsenic. According to the FDA, the levels are not high enough to cause alarm and do not pose any immediate health risks to those who continue to eat the products.
The highest levels of the toxin were found in the brown rice products and the lowest in rice wine. Although the FDA states that the levels are not significant enough to cause any concern, the long term effects of consuming even low levels of arsenic are not known. In particular, there is concern over the effects in children and babies.
The FDA’s new guidance, released Sept. 6 for consumers, however notes prolonged consumption of arsenic has been linked to an increase risk of developing certain forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes. Arsenic is a chemical which naturally occurs in the environment. The type of arsenic that was detected in the rice samples, inorganic arsenic, is the more harmful form of the chemical. For those who are concerned about the effects of consuming arsenic found in rice, it is recommended to diversify one’s consumption of rice with other foods as well.
“These are the next steps,” said Dr. Suzanne C. Fitzpatrick, senior advisor for toxicology at the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “To look at exposure levels, to analyze the risk, and determine how to minimize that risk for the overall safety of consumers, including vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women,” she said.
However according to the FDA, long-term health effects are not known.
“The approximately 1,300 analytical results do not tell us what long-term health effect, if any, these levels may have, nor do they tell us what can be done to reduce these levels. The data collection and analysis is the first step in a major effort to understand the overall safety of consumption of rice and rice products in the United States,” FDA said.
The FDA has been monitoring arsenic levels in rice for more than 20 years and has seen no evidence of change in levels of total arsenic in rice, it added.
The FDA has been testing levels of arsenic in rice for over 20 years.
On The Web:
FDA: Arsenic in rice won’t harm health immediately, but long-term risk unclear
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57601778/fda-arsenic-in-rice-wont-harm-health-immediately-but-long-term-risk-unclear/
FDA tests find very low levels of arsenic in rice
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/06/arsenic-rice-low-levels-fda/2771903/
FDA probes arsenic presence in rice from India, other nations
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/fda-probes-arsenic-presence-in-rice-from-india-other-nations/articleshow/22412195.cms
