Toxic metals found in all rice samples in study Arsenic showed up at the highest levels, followed by cadmium. Lead and m

[riversedge]

Updated May 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM

Toxic metals found in all rice samples in study

Arsenic showed up at the highest levels, followed by cadmium. Lead and mercury were found in smaller amounts

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/05/16/Toxic-metals-found-in-all-rice-samples-in-study/9691747407987/

The report, released by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, found arsenic in 100% of rice samples tested from stores in 20 metropolitan areas, including New York City, Los Angeles and Miami.

May 16 (UPI) -- A new report says rice sold in U.S. stores contains toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.

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What's more, 1 in 4 samples exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's arsenic limit for infant rice cereal, which is 100 parts per billion.

That rule was set in 2021, but it only applies to rice cereal made for babies, not to the rice that the rest of the family eats.

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The study tested 145 popular brands of rice, including Trader Joe's and Ben's and Goya. On average, total heavy metal levels across the samples ranged from 63 to 188 ppb, with some going as high as 240 ppb, CBS News said.

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[marble falls]

1. These occur naturally in rice and other grain ...

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7663342/

Abstract

We determined the concentrations of toxic and essential elements in rice and other grains (lentils, barleys, beans, oats, wheat, and peas) grown in the United States (US) and other countries using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). Results showed that median concentrations (in µg/kg) for toxic elements in white rice from the US were 131, 2.8, and 6.5 for arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), respectively. White rice from Thailand, India, and Italy showed higher median toxic elements concentrations (in µg/kg) of 155 for As, 3.6 for Pb, and 8.4 for Cd, than for white rice from the US. Brown rice from the US showed median concentrations (in µg/kg) of 217 (As), 4.5 (Pb), and 17.4 (Cd) while other grains showed median concentrations (in µg/kg) of 5.4, 4.6, and 6.7 for these elements, respectively. None of the samples exceeded the codex standards set for Pb (200 μg/kg in cereals and pulses) and Cd (100 μg/kg in cereals/pulses and 400 μg/kg in polished rice). However, brown rice and one white rice sample did exceed the codex standard for As (200 μg/kg). Essential elements were higher in other grains than in white and brown rice. These findings suggest that alternating or coupling rice with other grains in one’s diet could reduce exposure to toxic metals while providing more essential elements to rice diet.

Keywords: toxic and essential elements, rice and other grains, washed/unwashed rice, United States and other countries

[hlthe2b]

2. Some naturally occurring; alot from pesticides esp Texas. I buy Basmati from California or lowest India, yes, India

Rice growing areas of India are largely very distant from Bangladesh--which has naturally occurring Arsenic levels so high that WHO, CDC and other NGOs have for years been trying to develop safer drinking water alternatives.

But, California is lowest of US growers and India is even lower than that. Yes, white rice has less, but it is basically carbohydrates with little else; brown Basmati from India is in my informed opinion the best option from both a nutritional standpoint and lowest arsenic; Safe a few times a week, so think about it like tuna and its mercury content. All in moderation.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I guess that means I should buy white/brown rice from the Asian markets

in my area. And avoid Carolina Rice in the supermarkets.

[AZJonnie]

4. I was glad to see Thai Jasmine & Indian Basmati as being lower in bad stuff

Because that's all I ever buy, and eat pretty regularly. Phew! I do wish the article explored/addressed the areas of rice production in a bit more detail however because ultimately almost surely that's what 'matters'. I doubt any of these metals are coming from anywhere else.

[milestogo]

5. Try the RFK Jr approach - get rid of the limit.