Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products

Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products

Arsenic Main Page 1

2Arsenic is present in the environm ent as a naturally occurring substance or

as a result of contam ination from hum an activity. It is found in water, air,soil and foods. In foods, arsenic m ay be present as inorganic arsenic (the m ost toxic form of arsenic) or organic arsenic. FDA has been m onitoring the levels of arsenic in foods for decades, and in 2011, increased its testing.

On Septem ber 6, 2013, FDA released the analytical results of approxim ately 1,100 new sam ples of rice and rice products as part of a m ajor effort to understand and m anage possible arsenic-related risks associated with the consum ption of these foods in the U.S. m arketplace. These 1,100 new sam ples are in addition to the approxim ately 200 sam ples of rice and rice

products that the FDA initially tested and released the findings in Septem ber 2012.

FDA Statem ent on Testing and Analysis of Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products 3

The levels FDA found in its testing are too low to cause im m ediate or short-term adverse health effects. FDA’s work going forward will center on long-term risk and ways to m anage it with a focus on long-term exposure.

Consum er Update: FDA Explores Im pact of Arsenic in Rice 4

This news feature is intended for consum ers interested in knowing about arsenic in rice and rice products.

Updated Questions & Answers: Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products 5

Blog: On Farm s and in Labs, FDA and Partners Are Working to Get Answers on Arsenic in Rice 6

FDA Com m issioner Margaret A. Ham burg, M.D., recounts her experience touring farm s and research facilities to better understand safety issues and the challenges of rice farm ing. Sampling Results

Analytical Results from Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Sampling (PDF: 767KB)7 Septem ber 2013

NOTE: The more than 1,300 samples reported in FDA’s test results 8 include 200 samples from preliminary sampling done in September 2012 and the approximately 1,100 results analyzed more

recently. For the results from the sampling done in September 2012, see Summary of Analytical Results from Rice/Rice Product Sampling (200 samples)9 and Full Analytical Results from Rice/Rice Product Sampling (200 samples)10.Summary of Sampling Results

Inorganic Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Summary (Includes results from September 2012)Product Category

Product Subcategory

Average Inorganic Arsenic mcg/serving 1

Number of

Samples Bakery Mixes and PuddingBrownies

1.35Bakery Mixes and PuddingCakes/Muffins

3.024Bakery Mixes and PuddingPie and Pizza Crust 2.53Bakery Mixes and PuddingPudding

0.84Beverages 2Beer 2.165

Beverages 2Non-Dairy Rice Drinks 3.361Beverages 2Protein Beverages 1.532Beverages 2Rice Beverages 0.942Beverages 2

Rice Wine

0.5

22

Food

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