I do not normally consume large amounts of rice, but when the latest report from the Consumer Reports’ study revealed dangerous levels of arsenic in both rice and products containing rice, I was alarmed especially since my daughter does enjoy a nice bowl of organic brown rice. But my first though was “we are consuming organic rice, so we are ok.” Not true.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the soil. However, inorganic arsenic is found in the soils that were contaminated by arsenic based pesticides and fertilizers, industrial districts or mining areas, municipal waste, or contaminated water. We can’t be sure if the soil where organic rice is grown contains arsenic or not, since the arsenic was already in the soil before the rice was planted. However, 76% of all rice grown in the US comes from areas where inorganic arsenic is an issue. To find products which are safer than others will take some legwork, but can be done.
Just remember that many products contain rice and its by products. Look for rice flour, brown rice syrup, and, simply, rice in the crackers, cereal, cereal bars, baby food, gluten free food, energy bars, and energy drinks just for starters. Most babies babies consume a large quantity of rice products such as cereals and needless to say, they are more sensitive to chemicals like arsenic.
Consumer Reports does recommend certain guidelines to follow to try and limit your rice intake and exposure to arsenic. But, put simply, wash your rice first and cook it in 6 parts water to 1 part rice. Here are more in-depth tips, to follow, different grains to source, and how agricultural changes can reduce the problem. I go one step further and soak my rice anywhere from a few hours to 24 hours, and than rinse. Not sure if this is helping to remove any arsenic, but it does help with digestion.
Please join the Green Sisterhood as we stand together and fight for arsenic to be out of our rice. Sign this petition asking for a change in regulations. Share the petition with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and right on the petition website.
Anna Hackman is the organizer of the Change.org arsenic in rice petition and thanks everyone who signs and gets the word out about the petition. She is also a sustainability consultant, co-founder of the Green Sisterhood, editor of Green Talk a green living and business blog, and obsessed gardener. But her most important job is being a mom of four boys. #ArsenicinRiceGS
arsenic in rice, food, Green Sisterhood, health, organic rice
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
Thanks for posting! It is such an important topic. Everyone should be outraged considering there are many studies that have indicated this relationship dating as far back at least to 2007. Anna
My pleasure, Anna! Thanks for all your help!
*sigh* Oh, nice. Since I’m GF and can’t eat wheat or barley, brown rice is quite a staple here. It’s either that or never get enough whole grains/fiber.
We just can’t win, can we?
Nope, we can never win!
Yikes! Just another reason to buy local and organic! Thanks for linking up at Pin It Link Party!
I’ve been following this issue since Anna first brought it to everyone’s attention. Will share to help spread the word about this. I can’t believe it has taken so long for the story to take off in traditional media!
So scary. I really think certain things in our foods has to cause childhood diseases like Autism and other related things. I have a friend that has a son that is Autistic. Taking our red food dye really helped him. It didn’t make it go away, but it helped.
I never thought about soaking the rice to help with digestion, but I am going to try it.
I fond it makes a difference!
Me too. @Camille it doesn’t matter if it is organic. It depends on where it is sourced. If it is sourced from south central US, this is the highest source of arsenic in rice.
[...] rice milk, but found it naturally too sweet for every day consumption – then heard about the high levels of arsenic found naturally in rice and I quickly looked for an alternative. We did try soy and almond milk at one point before [...]