US EditionDangerous Levels of Arsenic Found in US Rice: What Families Need to Know Now
- Healthy Babies Bright Futures released a 2025 report revealing widespread arsenic and cadmium contamination in 145 rice samples sold across the United States.
- The contamination stems from rice plants' natural tendency to absorb heavy metals from soil and water, compounded by agricultural pollution and use of cadmium-contaminated fertilizers.
- HBBF's lab analysis found that contamination levels differed by rice variety and origin, with U.S.-grown brown rice showing the highest total heavy metal concentration at 151 ppb, including 129 ppb of arsenic, while rice varieties cultivated in California, such as sushi rice and Calrose, exhibited the lowest levels at 65 ppb.
- The study found arsenic and cadmium cause serious health risks such as neurodevelopmental harm, cancer, reduced IQ, and kidney damage, especially affecting infants, toddlers, and pregnant people since these metals can cross the placenta.
- HBBF calls on the FDA and industry to implement mandatory caps on arsenic and cadmium levels in all rice products, mandate frequent testing, and provide transparent labeling, with the goal of safeguarding communities that consume rice most heavily.
20 Articles
20 Articles
New report finds elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium in rice
A new report released by advocacy group Healthy Babies Bright Futures found elevated levels of arsenic and other heavy metals in a wide range of rice samples conducted nationwide. According to the report, 100% of the 145 rice samples taken for the study contained some levels of arsenic, with over 25% of the samples exceeding the FDA action level for infant rice cereal. …
New Report on Store-Bought Rice Reveals Concerning Levels of Arsenic and Lead
See what experts recommend after this alarming report.Elvira Kashapova/Getty ImagesKey TakeawaysA study of more than 200 different grain samples found that many types of rice had high levels of heavy metals, including brown and white rices produced in the southern U.S. and arborio rice from Italy.Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury are associated with a number of health risks, including developmental delays, liver and kidney disease, an…
High levels of arsenic found in rice sold in stores across U.S., report finds
A new report is bringing attention to toxic heavy metals and elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury that could be in your rice. The report, which comes from Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, an organization focused on babies’ exposure to toxic chemicals, says arsenic was found in 100% of 145 rice samples purchased from stores across the U.S. One in four rice samples also exceeded the federal limit of 100 parts per billion (ppb) of i…
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