Arsenic, an element from the Earth’s crust that is naturally found in air and water, may not only cause cancer, but can also negatively affect a child’s development and cause problems into adulthood. Inorganic arsenic is the type of arsenic that is associated with adverse health effects and the type of arsenic that is found in common foods and drinks, like rice and apple juice.
Rice has been found to absorb the highest amounts of inorganic arsenic when compared to other commonly eaten foods. Last April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a limit on the amount of inorganic arsenic to be allowed in infant rice cereal. The FDA, however, has not imposed action limits on other rice items.
Instead, the FDA and Consumer Reports recommend that adults and children eat a well-balanced diet for good nutrition and avoid consuming an excess of rice.
For further information on arsenic in rice and recommendations on how to safely keep rice in your diet, visit the FDA’s Q&A page.