AUSTIN, Texas — Rice is a staple on dinner tables around the world. But Consumer Reports’ latest food safety investigation found some rice products contain concerning levels of a harmful heavy metal. Here’s what the testing found, and simple ways to reduce exposure before your next meal.
From sushi to stir-fry to simple sides, we eat a lot of rice. But Consumer Reports says rice can carry a risk: inorganic arsenic, a dangerous form of a heavy metal and known carcinogen. Inorganic arsenic, especially, is associated with some serious health effects. We know that it’s associated with skin cancer, bladder cancer, type two diabetes, and cardiovascular effects.
Consumer Reports bought 52 rice products from store shelves, then sent them to a specialized lab for testing. Measurable levels of arsenic were detected and specifically inorganic arsenic, in every sample of rice tested. The levels vary…