Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products

[MuffyBee]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-usa-rice-arsenicbre88i0rr-20120919,0,5179676.story
Consumer Reports urges U.S. regulators to set limits on arsenic in rice
September 19, 2012

(Reuters) - Consumer Reports on Wednesday called on U.S. regulators to set limits for arsenic in rice after an investigation by the independent product testing group found "significant" levels of inorganic arsenic, a known human carcinogen, in some samples of popular rice products.

The watchdog group - whose other requests included a ban on the use of arsenic-containing drugs and pesticides used in crop and animal production - recommended that children and adults moderate their rice intake.

This is not the first time that the group has called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action on arsenic in the food supply. Earlier this year it called for limits on arsenic in apple and grape juices after similar testing found "worrisome" levels in those childhood staples.

Inorganic arsenic is deadly at high doses. It is a known carcinogen that has been linked to a variety of human cancers, including skin, lung and bladder, as well as heart disease and other illnesses.

Organic arsenic is believed to be far less harmful, but two organic forms measured - called DMA and MMA - are classified as possible carcinogens, Consumer Reports said.

Food is a major source of arsenic in the American diet. It can be found in fruits, vegetables, rice and seafood - all of which are considered healthy.

"The goal of our report is to inform — not alarm — consumers about the importance of reducing arsenic exposure," Urvashi Rangan, director of safety and sustainability at Consumer Reports, said.
 ::snipping2::

Nutritionist Julie Jones, speaking on a call hosted by the food industry-funded International Food Information Council Foundation on Tuesday, called the concern about arsenic in the U.S. food supply "misplaced" and said consumers should be more concerned about eating a healthy diet.

Jones added that certain elements of a good diet such as fiber can help reduce the harmful effects of arsenic.

Michael Harbut, a researcher and physician who treats people with arsenic poisoning, said the scientific data does not support such claims.

"There is no such thing as a safe level of arsenic," said Harbut, who leads the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's Environmental Cancer Program at Wayne State University in Detroit.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/2012/09/18/3238a578-0133-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_story.html
FDA working on plan to limit arsenic levels in rice
September 18, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration plans to announce Wednesday that it is working toward a proposal that would limit the amount of arsenic in rice, a staple of the American diet that has long been identified as a leading dietary source of the toxin.

The announcement is set to coincide with the release of a Consumer Reports study that analyzed more than 200 samples of roughly 60 rice products — from bulk rice to baby foods to instant cereals — and found that nearly all of them contained the “in­organic” form of arsenic that’s known to cause bladder, lung and skin cancers.

The FDA said its testing of rice products yielded similar results. But while Consumer Reports recommends that consumers reduce their rice consumption for now, the FDA does not advise a change in eating habits. It plans to test 1,000 rice samples in addition to the 200 it has already analyzed before making a recommendation late next year.

“It’s a priority for us to complete the analysis to decide what levels to set and what other steps to take,” said Mike Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods. “We’re not prepared, based on preliminary data, to advise people to change their eating patterns.”

The government limits the amount of arsenic in drinking water, but virtually no standards exist for arsenic in foods. For years, consumer advocates have urged regulators to take action, singling out rice in particular, which consistently ranks as a top arsenic-containing food in a growing body of research. The Illinois attorney general’s office joined the fray this week, urging the FDA to limit the inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/2012/09/18/24cbb910-01c0-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_story.html
Reducing your arsenic risk with rice products
September 19, 2012

Your water: Test your drinking water for arsenic. Find a certified lab by calling your local water department or the federal Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Your rice: Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking. Instead of cooking rice in water that is entirely absorbed by the grains, use a ratio of six cups water to one cup rice and drain the excess water. Research shows these steps remove about 30 percent of the rice’s inorganic arsenic content.

Your servings: Consumer Reports recommends limiting your intake of rice products. For a quarter-cup of uncooked rice, children should be limited to 11 / 4 servings per week and adults should have up to two servings per week. Consumer Reports does not recommend rice drinks for children under age 5. The FDA says it needs more information before it makes any recommendations.

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