High arsenic content in rice products.

We all know that arsenic is poisonous and we should avoid it. However not that many years ago, arsenic was still be adding to potions for medicinal reasons.

There is a very small amount of inorganic arsenic present in plants, so we are all consuming tiny amounts regularly and it does us no long term harm.

Recently research has shown that at least 50 percent of the rice based food products in the UK have arsenic levels which exceed those being proposed by the European Union (EU)

81 different products were tested and of the rice based products 58 percent had arsenic higher than the incoming maximum levels.

So it seems that rice may have more than slight levels of arsenic. This is a big issue for manufacturers, who will be required to meet the new maximum arsenic levels when they come into effect in the northern summer.

It seems that some major reformulation work may be required and this is going to have a significant impact on flavour, texture, appearance and, of course, cost of a lot of well-known favourite foods.

These new levels – 200 parts per billion (ppb) for adults and 100ppb for children – will be the first time that maximum arsenic limits have been set for food.

These limits are for any serving of food, but do not consider the long term exposure. There are some scientists now raising long term exposure as a significant issue.

With rice being the single biggest crop in the world (followed by wheat) and is consumed by more than half of the Asian population at least once daily, there is certainly a lot of cause for concern in these findings.

Interestingly, the levels of arsenic seem to vary depending upon the type of rice, with Indian Basmati having only 40ppb and Italian brown rice reaching 160ppb.

More information about the research and it’s finding can be found at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2817542/More-half-rice-products-exceed-new-EU-limits-ARSENIC.html#ixzz3IAgEQgPm

Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.