A new study from Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, reveals that the rice you buy at the store might contain toxic heavy metals. Researchers analyzed 145 rice samples from stores in 20 U.S. cities and found arsenic in 100% of them.
Heavy Metals and Health Risks
The report found “four toxic heavy metals in rice – arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.” According to the study, these contaminants can cause “cancer, developmental harm including IQ loss and accumulation in the body over time.”
Arsenic was found at the highest levels, followed by cadmium. One in four rice samples exceeded the federal limit set for arsenic in infant rice cereal. However, there’s no similar limit for regular rice sold for family meals.
Differences by Type and Origin
Brown rice grown in the southeastern U.S. had the highest levels of heavy metals.
“White rice from the same region also showed higher arsenic levels than rice grown in California,” the study noted. Thai jasmine and Indian basmati rice contained lower levels of heavy metals than other varieties tested.
However, basmati rice from India and arborio rice from Italy had the highest cadmium levels. Lead and mercury were found at lower levels overall.
Industry Response
Michael Klein, a spokesperson for the USA Rice Federation, said that American-grown rice “contains the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic in the world.” He added that “America’s rice farmers and rice companies are fully committed to providing wholesome, high-quality and nutritious food.”
“We know that arsenic in food is alarming for many consumers,” he said.
“And while we do not agree that there is a public health safety issue as a result of trace amounts of arsenic in rice, we will continue to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the U.S. rice supply meets any threshold established.”
Practical Recommendations
Jane Houlihan, research director at Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, recommends practical steps for families to reduce exposure: “cooking rice in extra water and draining it, swapping in other grains like quinoa or barley, and choosing lower-arsenic rice types such as California-grown, Thai jasmine, or Indian basmati.”
The organization is also urging the FDA to set enforceable limits on arsenic in all rice, not just baby cereal, to better protect children and families nationwide.
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