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Subscribe to RSSWASHINGTON — Three U.S. lawmakers are introducing a bill on Friday to limit the amount of arsenic allowed in rice and rice-based products, a legislator said.
The move comes after Consumer Reports urged limits for arsenic in rice. Tests of more than 60 products, from Kellogg's Rice Krispies to Gerber infant cereal, showed most had some inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen in humans.
The proposed RICE Act — Reducing food-based Inorganic and organic Compounds Exposure Act — requires the Food and Drug Administration to set a maximum level of arsenic in rice and food containing rice.
Democratic lawmakers Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Frank Pallone of New Jersey and Nita Lowey of New York are introducing the measure in the House of Representatives.
"This is not the first time we have been alerted to the dangers of arsenic, and quite simply we must do more to ensure that our food supply is safe," DeLauro said in a statement.
There are no federal standards for arsenic in most foods, including rice and rice-based products. South Korea has temporarily halted imports and domestic sales of U.S. rice, citing concerns about possible arsenic contamination.
The RICE Act could face a tough road to passage since it was introduced by Democratic lawmakers in a bitterly partisan chamber with a Republican majority.
A new study from Consumer Reports found an increased amount of arsenic in some of the most popular brands of rice products. TODAY's national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen reports.
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call me stupid but why, Why, WHY is there any arsenic in rice in the first place? It remindes me of Krusty the Klown from The Simpsons marketing a breakfast cereal guaranteed to have flesh eating bacteria in every box!
Many foods have arsenic. Apple seeds have it, garlic has it. But you would have live to be well over 100 for the arsenic levels in your body to build up to a toxic threshold from eating garlic every day.
There is organic and inorganic forms of arsenic. Inorganic is worse, and is specifically mentioned in the article.
Biggest difference between Bush and Obama administration *(other than Bush's inability to protect against terror atttacks) - in the Bush administration the headline would have read "Administration seeks to lift limits on arsenic in rice.
IOt used to drive me crazy to pick up the Times and read about the latest predation on our quality of life and/or environment by the Bush guys.
Arsenic exists in nature....but I think centuries of humans dumping things wherever they want is finally coming back to bite us in the keesters with all kinds of toxins and compounds ending up in the food supply.
In the environment, arsenic combines with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Inorganic kinds of arsenic are thought to be the most dangerous for human health. In plants and animals, arsenic combines with hydrogen and oxygen to form organic arsenic compounds. Thus organic arsenic occurs naturally in a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains and fish—and very little is known about potential health consequences of ingesting organic arsenic. Through its Total Diet Study, the FDA has been monitoring levels of both naturally-occurring organic arsenic as well as inorganic arsenic in our food supply for years—and has not determined any safety concern for rice. In grains, organic arsenic concentrates in the part called the germ, which is removed to make white rice. Thus brown rice naturally has higher concentrations of organic arsenic than white rice. The FDA already announced a process of further inspection of rice and rice products to determine the levels and types of arsenic that may be present to protect the public. This will provide consumers with additional information about the safety of rice and rice products with low levels of arsenic. When the FDA finds inorganic arsenic—i.e. the kind currently KNOWN to be toxic—it considers those findings on a case-by-case basis and takes regulatory action where necessary. It is this inorganic arsenic that has been regulated in drinking water for years. No standards exist regarding levels of naturally-occurring organic arsenic in rice—because no one knows what a safe level is, since very little research has been done on organic arsenic’s effect—if any—on human health. Thus, Rosa DeLauro’s “RICE ACT”—like nearly every worthless, vote-pandering idea she’s come up with over the past 22 years—should never leave legislative committee.
Sure Christopher, let it be killed in committee by republicans. I guarantee you, they have a safe food supply and we common people,well who gives; you certainly don't. Quote (in case that you have missed):"The move comes after Consumer Reports urged limits for arsenic in rice". There was plenty of research done and safe limits were established.
Arsenic is taken up by rice from the fertilizer that is applied to the crops. Guess what, animal manure has arsenic in it because of the arsenic compounds in feed additives.
And legislators like Rosa DeLauro provide us with plenty of manure.
Gwaddamn! Will wonders never cease! Now, the democrats want to limit the amount of "Arsenic" in rice and the republicans are blocking the proposal. Now, if this rice is to be sold to, and eaten by republicans, or, for the purpose of "rat poison, then let the republicans have their way. If though, it's meant for consumption by any others, then the democrats are right. Why the hell is there arsenic in rice? Why are we selling food that contains arsenic? Is anyone really awake here?
How much rice would one have to consume to be effected by the arsenic levels in that grain? It it is two bushels a day or two ounces a day? If it is not a problem, don't fix it.
Where was the FDA and the USDA on this? Oh, wait, that's right they are the lobby for the food industry. If they acted to protect consumers it would cost the agribusiness and we wouldn't want that! The staff on the USDA and the FDA that come from Mansanto and other huge companies that monopolize the food industry is a dirty inside secret. Our legislators sit on their hands while this happens to us. Why, because our legislators are paid off, oh excuse me, receive campaign donations from these charlatans.
Why exactly is inorganic arsenic being added to our foods?