Arsenic in Rice Risks and Solutions | Sacramento News

0:00It's September 10th. You're listening to Sacramento News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Cory with the story. So, Consumer Reports drop some science on us about rice. A food we all pretty much grew up on. Turns out, every single sample they tested out of 52 different products had inorganic arsenic. This stuff is a known carcinogen linked to things like bladder cancer and type 2 diabetes. And get this, over 40% of the rice they checked had enough arsenic that eating it daily could seriously bump up your risk for those health. Issues Now, the levels aren't the same across the board. Brown rice generally has more of this arsenic than white rice. But on the flip side, boss-mati and sushi rice tend to come in with lower amounts. Some brands, like Lundberg and Whole Foods, are saying they already test for heavy metals and meet California's tough safety standards. A lot of other companies just didn't get back to Consumer Reports at all. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is being urged to set some limits on arsenic

1:03and rice based on these bindings. It's a big deal because rice is such a common food and nobody wants to be unknowingly exposed to harmful stuff day in and day out. This investigation really shines a light on how important it is to know what's in our food. Other reports is also giving us some practical advice. They suggest not making rice your only side dish every single meal. Mix it up with other grains, like quinoa or oats, which they found have less arsenic. And when you do cook rice, try cooking it in extra water for about 5 minutes, then draining and finishing it with fresh water. This method can cut down on the arsenic levels significantly. This whole situation is a reminder that even everyday foods can have hidden concerns. It's good that organizations like Consumer Reports are doing this deep dive, pushing for better safety standards, and giving us actionable tips, too. Protect ourselves.