CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
A recent Consumer Reports study found "worrisome levels" of arsenic in infant rice, rice drinks, and pasta. Eating just one rice item could raise arsenic levels in the body to 44 %. It concludes that arsenic found in 60 different rice products found on grocery shelves are at "worrisome levels." Surprisingly, the levels were highest in brown rice compared to white rice.
Based on these findings, Madigan on Wednesday sent a letter to the FDA, calling on the agency to move quickly to adopt national standards to limit inorganic arsenic in food, particularly in baby food.
The problem is there is no federal standard for arsenic levels in food, so there's a lot of confusion on whether rice is safe or unsafe to consume.
"Every test we did of infant rice cereal came back with levels of arsenic in them," Madigan said. "So, very disturbing…frankly, shocking."
It was shocking enough for Madigan to warn parents to give moderate servings of infant rice products to their children, if any.
Arsenic is a chemical found in the environment from natural and human sources. Inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin, bladder, and lung cancers, as well as heart disease.
In response, the USA Rice Federation which represents the $34 billion industry, called Consumer Report's study incomplete and inaccurate and released this statement:
"We are aware of concerns about the level of arsenic in food, but are not aware of any established studies directly connecting rice consumption and adverse health effects. ...In fact, populations with high rice consumption are associated with less overall disease rates..."
Fox Chicago's Dr. Mona says there is no reason to be alarmed and that they key is having a balanced diet even if it includes rice.
"There are things you can do," explains Dr. Mona. "One of them is to rinse rice with much more water than is needed to cook it, then drain off that water."
Madigan has joined consumer reports in urging the FDA to set a national limit for arsenic in foods. Currently there is only an EPA standard for water.
The FDA released this statement on the matter:
"Based on the currently available data and scientific literature the FDA does not have an adequate scientific basis to recommend changes by consumers regarding their consumption of rice and rice products."
The FDA said they have had the same test results thus far as Consumer Reports, but it is still in the process of collecting and analyzing 1,200 samples. That study will be completed by the end of the year. From there, the FDA will determine if they will issue additional recommendations.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Reports study recommends people eat no more than two servings of rice a week and for babies, no more than one serving of infant rice a day.
For more information: www.consumerreports.org/cro/arsenicinfood
