Arsenic in rice
Wednesday 30 April 2008
The Agency today issued reassurance to consumers, following reports on arsenic levels in baby rice and in rice milk.
One study measured the levels of arsenic in rice milk and showed that exposure to arsenic would be increased by the consumption of rice milk. Another study, on baby rice, claimed that the levels of arsenic present in some baby rice samples were unsafe. The Agency disagrees with this claim and says the current levels do not raise concern.
Where does the arsenic come from?
Arsenic occurs naturally in a wide range of foods at low levels. Its toxicity depends on the chemical form in which it is present. The organic form is less harmful but the inorganic form is known to cause cancer. The Agency’s independent advisory committee on toxicity, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has therefore concluded that exposure to inorganic arsenic should be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Arsenic occurs in a wide range of foods but most arsenic in the diet is present in the less toxic, organic form.
Agency research and testing
Rice is a food grain that has the tendency to accumulate arsenic. While the concentration of total arsenic is low, about 50% of it is present as inorganic arsenic. The Agency is carrying out research on the levels of arsenic present in rice and rice products as well as the effect of cooking on arsenic concentrations. Our present findings show that for the average UK consumer the exposure to arsenic from consuming rice is not a concern.
The Agency has carried out a number of surveys on the levels of arsenic (and other metals) present in baby food and infant formulae. These show that the low intakes of arsenic from infant foods have not increased, indicating that they are as low as reasonably practicable. The measured levels do not raise concern for the health of infants. In the case of rice milk, our advice to consumers who were concerned about increasing their exposure to arsenic was to reduce their intake or find alternate sources of milk. However, we will be carrying out further research and will publish our results in due course.
The studies make comparisons with drinking water standards that are not appropriate. Drinking water standards are based on a level that is as low as reasonably practicable or achievable in water and it is not relevant to compare with intakes from food.
The amount of arsenic present in food is regulated by the UK Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 as amended, and all the rice and rice products tested so far do not exceed the limits set by this legislation.
The science behind the story
Check out Agency Chief Scientist Dr Andrew Wadge's blog posting on arsenic in rice at food.gov.uk/scienceblog