Following a recent study and numerous media reports about arsenic levels in U.S.-grown rice, the USA Rice Federation issued a statement to dispel claims about health concerns.

Current science points to rice as a healthy and nutritious food that contributes only a minor amount of arsenic to the human diet.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continually monitors the U.S. Food supply through its Total Diet Study to ensure safe and healthy food products, including rice.  FDA has not indicated that rice poses any health hazard to consumers and USA Rice supports FDA's ongoing efforts to ensure food safety. 

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the environment and has been present in foods for years.

There are no scientific studies that have linked U.S. rice consumption to adverse health effects.  Most of the trace amounts of arsenic found in rice is the organic type, which is of less concern, whereas 100 percent of the arsenic in drinking water is inorganic, or the more harmful form.  Any arsenic exposure from rice is considerably less than from drinking water, where standards of exposure are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Research on rice consumption has demonstrated that rice eaters have healthier diets. Rice is a nutritious food that is a basic staple worldwide and for many American consumers.