New Study Finds Toxic Metals Present in All Rice Samples Across U.S. Stores

A recent investigative report has revealed that rice sold in various stores across the United States contains harmful levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. This comprehensive study, conducted by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, tested 145 popular rice brands sourced from 20 metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. Alarmingly, every rice sample tested contained detectable amounts of arsenic, with one in four exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) safety limit for arsenic in infant rice cereal, which is set at 100 parts per billion (ppb). However, it's important to note that this safety threshold applies only to rice cereals designed for infants, not regular rice used in family meals, despite its widespread consumption among infants and toddlers.

The levels of heavy metals varied across samples, with total arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury levels averaging between 63 and 188 ppb, and some samples reaching as high as 240 ppb. Arsenic was detected at the highest concentrations, followed by cadmium, with trace amounts of lead and mercury. The rice brands tested included well-known names such as Trader Joe's, Ben's, and Goya.

In response to the findings, the U.S. Rice Federation acknowledged consumer concerns but stated that they do not believe the levels pose a significant public health risk. They reiterated their commitment to working with the FDA to monitor and regulate arsenic levels in rice.

Health experts emphasize that inorganic arsenic, the form of arsenic predominantly found in rice, is more toxic and classified as a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To reduce exposure to these toxic metals, recommendations include cooking rice like pasta using plenty of water and draining excess liquid, opting for alternative grains like quinoa, barley, or couscous, and choosing rice varieties known to have lower metal content—such as California white rice, sushi rice, Thai jasmine, and Indian Basmati—while avoiding brown rice from the Southeastern U.S. and arborio rice from Italy, which showed higher levels.

This study underscores the importance of mindful consumption and ongoing regulation to protect public health from heavy metal contamination in staple foods. For more detailed information, access the full report at hbbf.org.