Consumer reports is encouraging the FDA to consider federal standards on maximum arsenic content in rice. Though there are standards on maximum levels of arsenic in drinking water, there are not standards for foods.
So how is arsenic getting into rice? Inorganic arsenic is found in soil & water in very low levels and is therefore naturally occurring in plants. Because of the way that rice is grown, by flooding fields with large amounts of water, this makes for a unique situation that may allow rice to absorb more arsenic than other grains that we eat.
PHOTO: Texas Department of Agriculture, Rice Harvest, Fort Bend County
Click here to read or listen to the Story from NPR
Here also is a excerpt from an article by MARY CLARE JALONICK of the Associated Press
"Scientists have known for decades that arsenic is present in rice, but the issue has renewed interest as consumers are more interested than ever in what they eat and technology has advanced to the point that inorganic and organic arsenic can be measured separately... Professor Jaymie R. Meliker of Stony Brook University, who has studied the effects of arsenic, says it's all a matter of moderation. "In general, in life, you shouldn't stand out in the sun eight hours a day," he said. "You shouldn't eat rice exclusively every meal. You should introduce variety in your diet because there are contaminants in everything. Nothing is completely safe."'
Bottom line - eat a variety of foods. There is not enough data yet to determine if these levels should be of concern. FDA has tested about 200 of 1200 samples. When they gather all the data from testing, then a plan of action will be developed.
Also, this is one more example of a time when pesticide residues are named as a potential for food safety risk. As farmers, we need to continue to do everything right when applying pesticides to reduce risks to the food supply.
Right Source
Right Rate
Right Time
Right Place
No comments:
Post a Comment