Consumer Reports finds arsenic in rice products - KMSP-TV

A Consumer Reports investigation found unexpected amounts of arsenic in 60 different rice products.

The investigation looked at a variety of rice products from brands like Gerber, Uncle Ben's and Chex, along with store brands from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart.

Because there's no federal limit for arsenic in food, Consumer Reports based its research on the strongest arsenic limits in drinking water, found in New Jersey.

Researchers found every product had some arsenic, but half of those tested had arsenic levels above the legal limit allowed for drinking water. A few contained "inorganic arsenic," which is tied to bladder, skin and lung cancer.

The study found white rice grown in the southern U.S. often usually had higher levels of arsenic because of pesticide use when the rice fields grew cotton many years ago.

The good news is none of the children's rice cereals tested exceeded the arsenic limits.

Consumer Reports says the research isn't meant to alarm anyone, just inform them.

In February, researchers at Dartmouth College found arsenic in baby formula, cereal bars and other foods that use brown rice syrup as a sweetener. Last year, Consumer Reports found high levels of arsenic in apple and other fruit juices, leading to legislation limiting arsenic in the drinks.

Consumer Reports now wants the FDA to limit arsenic in rice products as well.

Consumer Reports list of arsenic levels in rice products
http://bit.ly/QZyZZg